Kris Kristofferson lived many lives in his 88 years — soldier, Rhodes Scholar, janitor, songwriter, movie star, outlaw poet. But behind the spotlight stood a complex romantic history that included three marriages, eight children, and several high-profile relationships.
His First Love: Fran Beer
Kristofferson’s first wife was his high school sweetheart, Fran Beer. She stood by him during his early struggles as he chased songwriting dreams in Nashville. The couple had two children: daughter Tracy (born 1962) and son Kris Jr. (born 1968). Tracy later attended Stanford University and briefly pursued acting, while Kris Jr. has largely stayed out of the public eye.
By 1969, as Kristofferson’s career began to accelerate, the marriage ended. Fame was rising — stability was not.
The Passion and Turmoil With Rita Coolidge
In the 1970s, Kristofferson married singer Rita Coolidge. Together, they became one of country music’s most compelling duos, releasing successful collaborative albums and winning Grammy Awards. Their musical chemistry was undeniable.
Their marriage, however, was far more turbulent.
Alcohol, rumored infidelity, and the pressures of fame strained the relationship. During this period, Kristofferson was romantically linked to several co-stars, including Barbra Streisand, though much of the gossip was never confirmed. He was also known to have dated Janis Joplin around 1970 — a brief but intense relationship during a time when both were battling personal demons.
Kristofferson and Coolidge had one daughter, Casey (born 1974), who later pursued ballet and eventually formed a band of her own. The marriage ended after seven years.
Finding Stability With Lisa Meyers
In 1982, Kristofferson met Lisa Meyers at a gym. He later admitted he intentionally struck up a conversation by asking to borrow equipment. What started casually became the most enduring relationship of his life.
They married in 1983.
Together, they raised five children: Jesse (born 1984), Jody (1985), Johnny (1988), Kelly (1990), and Blake (1994). Their children pursued varied paths — acting, music, law, even professional wrestling. Jesse appeared in film and television. Jody wrestled under the name Garrett Dylan. Kelly explored acting and singing. Johnny eventually helped manage family business matters.
Lisa would also become his fiercest advocate.
In later years, Kristofferson was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It was eventually discovered he had Lyme disease instead. Through memory struggles and declining health, Lisa remained at his side — including in Maui, where he passed away on September 28, 2024, at age 88.
The Man Behind the Myth
Kristofferson’s romantic life often mirrored the intensity of his songwriting — passionate, complicated, deeply human. He loved boldly, sometimes recklessly, and often imperfectly.
But in the end, it was family — especially Lisa and his children — who anchored him.
The outlaw poet who once sang of heartbreak and freedom ultimately found his longest chapter not in rebellion, but in commitment.
Who Else Did Kris Kristofferson Date?
One of the reasons that people thought Streisand and Kristofferson hooked up in 1976 was that they did date previously. He told David Letterman that they were a couple in 1970 and fought all through filming A Star Is Born.
Around that time, he also dated Janis Joplin. She was battling a heroin addiction and he was drinking heavily, so it’s difficult to imagine a healthy relationship, but when he first heard her posthumous release of his song “Me and Bobby McGee,” he became very emotional.
Jane Fonda is another actor Kristofferson is thought to have dated, but in some ways, he was always being romantically attached to his cinematic love interests.