Rita Coolidge, the acclaimed country music singer and actress, was born on May 1, 1945, in Lafayette, Tennessee, and began her journey in the arts after graduating from Florida State University. Her career soared during the 1970s and 1980s with hit songs and appearances in popular films such as Octopussy and Splash. In 1973, Coolidge married legendary musician Kris Kristofferson after what she described as “love at first flight” during a chance meeting on a plane. Although their relationship brought creative success—earning them two Grammy Awards as a duo—their marriage was fraught with difficulties stemming from Kristofferson’s drinking, infidelity, and emotional volatility, ultimately leading to their divorce in 1980.

During their six-year marriage, Coolidge endured a turbulent home life that included belittlement of her talent, emotional strain, and even a single instance of physical abuse. Yet, the couple managed to achieve professional acclaim, performing and recording together to great success. They also experienced heartbreak with the loss of a child due to miscarriage, making their daughter, Casey, their only surviving child. Following their separation, Coolidge chose not to seek financial support from Kristofferson, prioritizing her independence and her daughter’s well-being. Despite the pain, Coolidge wrote in her 2016 memoir that she never stopped caring for Kristofferson, and the two maintained a rare emotional connection over the years.

That same year, while promoting her memoir in Tallahassee, Coolidge unexpectedly reconnected with Joe Hutto, a college sweetheart she had met during her time at Florida State. The two had first bonded over their shared love for music at a beach party in the 1970s. Although Hutto later joined the military and they both went on to lead separate lives and marry other people, Coolidge admitted that she often thought of him during visits back home. Their connection, though distant for decades, had never fully faded.

Their reunion in 2016, arranged by a mutual friend, marked a turning point for Coolidge. She described the emotional experience of returning to Hutto’s life as finally coming “home.” The two soon made the decision to build a life together in Tallahassee. Coolidge sold her California home, and Hutto left his Wyoming ranch, with both drawn to the natural beauty and tranquility of their shared hometown. The return to familiar surroundings and the bond they rekindled gave Coolidge a renewed sense of peace and fulfillment.

In 2018, Coolidge and Hutto married on their serene, eight-acre property near a cypress marsh in Florida, surrounded by close friends and fellow musicians. Hutto, now a respected naturalist and author, shared Coolidge’s deep appreciation for the natural world, and together they embraced a quieter life filled with music, wildlife, and love. Despite the occasional wild encounter—like a run-in with a rabid fox—their life together is a testament to healing, second chances, and finding home not just in a place, but in a person. Coolidge’s journey, marked by fame, heartbreak, resilience, and rediscovered love, came full circle in the place where it all began.