Hollywood star and well-known country music artist Kris Kristofferson found security in his marriage. His wife, who had blue eyes and blonde hair, served as his rock for more than 40 years. She helped him through his health issues, illustrating their enduring and incredibly devoted love tale. Unquestionably influential in both music and movies, Kris Kristofferson’s personal life was not always the most stable. He had already gone through two unsuccessful marriages and was wary of making a long-term commitment before he met Lisa Meyers. Nevertheless, when he met Meyers in 1982, everything was different.

Their romance took off fast, and in less than a year, they were married and had the family that Kristofferson would come to regard as his greatest achievement. However, what genuinely cemented their relationship was Meyers’ support of Kristofferson through his darkest hours. Why is Meyers such a significant part of Meyers’ legacy, and how did their love last? Kristofferson had already gone through the highs and lows of love before he met Meyers. His first marriage to childhood friend Frances Beer failed when his military duties became too much for him to bear.

Tracy and Kris Jr. were their two children from their marriage, but the continual separation brought about by his military service caused a split that was unbridgeable.

Due to the strain of his demanding job, his second marriage to singer Rita Coolidge, with whom he had a daughter named Casey, also failed. As a result of his inability to manage his personal life and celebrity while on the road and fully committed to his music, Kristofferson and his wife eventually got divorced. In 1982, Meyers and Kristofferson—who was by then a single man parenting Casey alone—met in a Malibu gym. Their first conversation was informal; Meyers was a Pepperdine University law student. In an attempt to start a discussion, Kristofferson took a piece of exercise equipment from her.

They found they shared a passion for fitness and running, so what had begun as a straightforward conversation soon developed into something more. Kristofferson was not sure he wanted to get back into a committed relationship, but he was pulled to Meyers’ realness and their shared values—especially their strong love for family. Despite Kristofferson’s admission that he was “gun-shy” at first about being in a relationship longer than a single night, he quickly came to understand Meyers’ uniqueness. Her presence started to alter his perspective on life and helped him concentrate on what was really important: creating a secure and loving family.

Kristofferson’s life was changed in unexpected ways by his relationship with Meyers. Following their 1983 wedding, the couple made a decision that would have a significant impact on their future. Their move to Hawaii’s island of Maui was more than just a housing decision. Their goal was to establish a tranquil existence away from the mayhem of Hollywood and the incessant pressures of the music business. They found a peaceful environment on Maui to raise their family, which eventually numbered five: Kelly Marie, Jesse, Jody, Johnny, and Blake. Because of the relaxed vibe and tight-knit community on the island, Kristofferson was able to accept parenting in a manner he had not previously.