Kenny Rogers Bio: Spouse, Songs, Children, Age, Parents, Height, Albums, Cause of Death, Movies

Biography

Kenny Rogers (born Kenneth Ray Rogers in 1938 and died in 2020) was a celebrated American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his signature raspy voice and genre-blending music career spanning country, pop, and rock.

Born in Houston, Texas, he rose to prominence in the 1970s and 1980s with timeless hits such as The Gambler, Lucille, Lady, and Islands in the Stream, his iconic duet with Dolly Parton.

A three-time Grammy Award winner, Rogers sold over 100 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.

Beyond music, he expanded his career into acting, starring in The Gambler TV movie series and other film and television projects. Known for his rich storytelling, smooth charisma, and enduring influence on country music, Rogers remained a beloved figure in entertainment until his passing in March 2020.

American singer-songwriter
Kenny Rogers
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Kenneth Ray Rogers
Stage Name:	Kenny Rogers
Born:	21 August 1938 (age 81 years old)
Place of Birth:	Houston, Texas, United States
Died:	20 March 2020, Sandy Springs, Georgia, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Jefferson Davis High School, University of Houston
Height:	183 cm
Parents:	Edward Floyd Rogers, Lucille Lois Rogers
Siblings:	Geraldine Rogers, Lelan Rogers, Roy Rogers, Billy Rogers, Randy Rogers, Bobby Rogers
Spouse:	Wanda Miller (m. 1997-2020), Marianne Gordon (m. 1977–1993), Margo Anderson (m. 1963-1975), Jean Rogers (m. 1960–1963), Janice Gordon (m. 1958–1960)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Christopher Cody Rogers, Carole Rogers, Jordan Edward Rogers, Justin Charles Rogers, Kenny Rogers Jr.
Occupation:	Singer • Actor
Net Worth:	$250 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Kenny Rogers was born Kenneth Ray Rogers on August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas. He grew up in the San Felipe Courts, a public housing project in Houston’s Fourth Ward, in a modest household that shaped his strong work ethic.

Of primarily Irish and Native American descent—some sources cite Cherokee ancestry on his mother’s side—Rogers was raised in a Christian household, though he did not publicly align with a specific denomination later in life.

He was the fourth of seven children born to Edward Floyd Rogers, a carpenter and musician, and Lucille Lois Rogers (née Hester), a nurse’s assistant. His father’s love for music, particularly the fiddle and guitar, shaped Kenny’s early interest in music, while his mother provided unwavering support. Growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, Rogers experienced financial struggles that influenced his humble demeanor and drive for success.

Rogers had six siblings: five brothers—Lelan Rogers, Roy Rogers, Billy Rogers, Randy Rogers, and Bobby Rogers—and one sister, Geraldine Rogers. His brother Lelan also pursued a music career, though he did not achieve the same level of fame as Kenny.

For his education, Rogers attended Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, where he developed a passion for music and taught himself to play the guitar. After graduating in 1956, he briefly attended the University of Houston but soon dropped out to focus on music, joining a local band called The Scholars and setting the foundation for his legendary career.

Career

Kenny Rogers enjoyed a prolific and multifaceted career spanning over six decades, evolving from a teenage performer into an international superstar. His journey began in the mid-1950s when he formed a doo-wop group called The Scholars as a high school student in Houston, Texas.

The group found local success with the song Poor Little Doggie, marking Rogers‘ first experience in the music industry. In 1958, he released his debut solo single, That Crazy Feeling, which became a minor hit and earned him an appearance on American Bandstand.

Throughout the 1960s, Rogers explored different musical styles, joining the jazz trio Bobby Doyle Three as a bassist and singer. After the group disbanded, he transitioned to folk-pop, becoming a The New Christy Minstrels member in 1966.

A year later, he and several members left to form The First Edition (later renamed Kenny Rogers and The First Edition), blending folk, rock, and country influences. The group gained widespread recognition with hits like Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (1968) and Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town (1969), showcasing Rogers‘ distinctive voice and versatility.

After The First Edition disbanded in 1974, Rogers embarked on a solo career, initially facing challenges before achieving a breakthrough in 1977 with Lucille. The song topped the country charts, reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, and won his first Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

This success cemented his status as a crossover artist, appealing to both country and pop audiences. The following year, he released The Gambler, a storytelling ballad that became his signature song. It earned him another Grammy and inspired a series of TV movies in which he portrayed the titular character.

Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Rogers dominated the charts with hits such as She Believes in Me, You Decorated My Life, Coward of the County, and Lady—a No. 1 pop hit written by Lionel Richie. His 1983 duet with Dolly Parton, Islands in the Stream, written by the Bee Gees, became one of the most iconic songs of his career. He also collaborated with artists like Dottie West (What Are We Doin’ in Love) and Sheena Easton (We’ve Got Tonight), further solidifying his status as a global music icon.

Beyond music, Rogers ventured into acting, starring in several TV movies, including The Gambler series (1980–1994) and films such as Six Pack (1982). His natural storytelling ability and on-screen charisma contributed to his widespread appeal.

In the 1990s and 2000s, while his chart success slowed, Rogers continued to record music, tour, and explore other ventures. He launched Kenny Rogers Roasters, a restaurant chain that later became a pop culture reference on Seinfeld. He also published books, including his autobiography, Luck or Something Like It (2012), and pursued photography, releasing a collection titled Kenny Rogers’ America.

Later in life, Rogers received renewed recognition for his contributions to music. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, and embarked on his farewell tour, The Gambler’s Last Deal, starting in 2015. His final performance was in 2017 before health issues, including a diagnosis of bladder cancer, led to his retirement.

Over his career, Rogers sold over 100 million records and won three Grammy Awards, six Country Music Association Awards, and numerous other accolades. He passed away on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81, but his music and influence continue to resonate across generations.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Kenny Rogers
• IMDb: Kenny Rogers(1938-2020)
• Instagram: Kenny Rogers (@_kennyrogers)
• Facebook: Kenny Rogers

Personal Life

Kenny Rogers, born on August 21, 1938, and passing away on March 20, 2020, at the age of 81, lived a life marked by multiple marriages, a large family, and a commanding presence both on and off the stage.

Rogers was married five times. His first marriage to Janice Gordon (1958–1960) ended due to pressures from her parents. He then married Jean Rogers (1960–1963), though the relationship was short-lived. His third marriage to Margo Anderson (1964–1976) was his longest at the time but ended as his fame grew and infidelity became a factor.

In 1977, he wed actress Marianne Gordon, a union that lasted 16 years before ending in divorce in 1993, with Gordon receiving a $60 million settlement. His final and longest marriage was to Wanda Miller, whom he married in 1997. Despite their 28-year age difference, they remained together until his passing in 2020.

Rogers had five children. His eldest, Carole Lynne Rogers, was born on September 15, 1958, during his first marriage and was primarily raised by her grandparents, with limited involvement from Rogers. His second child, Kenneth Ray Rogers Jr. (“Kenny Jr.“), was born in 1964 with Margo Anderson and pursued music and acting.

With Marianne Gordon, Rogers had Christopher Cody Rogers, born on December 4, 1981, who also worked in entertainment. In his later years, he experienced fatherhood again when Wanda Miller gave birth to their twin sons, Justin Charles Rogers and Jordan Edward Rogers, on July 6, 2004, when Rogers was 65. These late-in-life children brought him immense joy and fulfillment.

Standing approximately 6 feet (183 cm) tall, Rogers possessed a strong stage presence that complemented his charismatic persona. In the final years of his life, he faced health challenges, including a diagnosis of bladder cancer in 2017, which led to his retirement from touring.

Although his family stated he passed away from natural causes under hospice care at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, his age and prior health issues likely contributed to his passing.

Net Worth

Kenny Rogers had an estimated net worth of approximately $250 million at the time of his death on March 20, 2020.

His wealth was accumulated through a highly successful music career that spanned over six decades, with over 100 million records sold worldwide, numerous hit songs, and lucrative tours.

Beyond music, Rogers boosted his earnings through acting roles, notably in the “The Gambler” TV movie series, and entrepreneurial ventures like the Kenny Rogers Roasters restaurant chain. His income was also supplemented by real estate investments, including a lavish mansion in Georgia and other business endeavors.

However, his net worth was impacted by significant divorce settlements, particularly the $60 million payout to his fourth wife, Marianne Gordon, in 1993. Despite these expenses, Rogers‘ enduring popularity and diverse revenue streams ensured he remained one of the wealthiest figures in country music.

Discography

Studio Albums

• Love Lifted Me (1976)
• Kenny Rogers (1977)
• Daytime Friends (1977)
• Love or Something Like It (1978)
• The Gambler (1978)
• Kenny (1979)
• Gideon (1980)
• Share Your Love (1981)
• Love Will Turn You Around (1982)
• We’ve Got Tonight (1983)
• What About Me? (1984)
• The Heart of the Matter (1985)
• They Don’t Make Them Like They Used To (1986)
• I Prefer the Moonlight (1987)
• Something Inside So Strong (1989)
• Love Is Strange (1990)
• Back Home Again (1991)
• If Only My Heart Had a Voice (1993)
• Timepiece (1994) – with the David Foster Orchestra
• Vote for Love (1996)
• Across My Heart (1997)
• Christmas from the Heart (1998)
• She Rides Wild Horses (1999)
• There You Go Again (2000)
• Back to the Well (2003)
• Water & Bridges (2006)
• The Love of God (2011)
• You Can’t Make Old Friends (2013)
• Once Again It’s Christmas (2015)

Collaborative Albums (with The First Edition)

• The First Edition (1967)
• The First Edition’s 2nd (1968)
• The First Edition ’69 (1969)
• Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town (1969)
• Something’s Burning (1970)
• Fools (1970)
• Tell It All Brother (1970)
• Transition (1971)
• Backroads (1972)
• Monumental (1973)

Notable Compilation Albums

• Ten Years of Gold (1978)
• Greatest Hits (1980)
• Twenty Greatest Hits (1983)
• The Kenny Rogers Singles Album (1989)
• A Decade of Hits (1997)
• Through the Years: A Retrospective (1999)
• 42 Ultimate Hits (2004)
• 21 Number Ones (2006)

Major Singles

• That Crazy Feeling (1958) – Solo debut
• Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In) (1968) – with The First Edition
• Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town (1969) – with The First Edition
• Something’s Burning (1970) – with The First Edition
• Lucille (1977)
• Daytime Friends (1977)
• Love or Something Like It (1978)
• The Gambler (1978)
• She Believes in Me (1979)
• You Decorated My Life (1979)
• Coward of the County (1980)
• Lady (1980)
• I Don’t Need You (1981)
• Share Your Love with Me (1981)
• Love Will Turn You Around (1982)
• We’ve Got Tonight (1983) – with Sheena Easton
• Islands in the Stream (1983) – with Dolly Parton
• What Are We Doin’ in Love (1981) – with Dottie West
• Crazy (1984)
• Real Love (1985)
• Tomb of the Unknown Love (1986)
• Make No Mistake, She’s Mine (1987) – with Ronnie Milsap
• Buy Me a Rose (1999) – with Alison Krauss and Billy Dean
• You Can’t Make Old Friends (2013) – with Dolly Parton

Filmography

Movies

• Six Pack (1982) – as Brewster Baker
• The Gambler (1980) – TV movie, as Brady Hawkes
• The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw (1991) – TV movie
• The Gambler V: Playing for Keeps (1994) – TV movie
• Coward of the County (1981) – TV movie
• Wild Horses (1985) – TV movie
• Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues (1987) – TV movie
• MacShayne: Winner Takes All (1994) – TV movie
• Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story (1995) – Cameo as himself

Television Appearances

• American Bandstand (1958) – Performed “That Crazy Feeling”
• The Muppet Show (1979) – Guest star
• Kenny Rogers: The First 50 Years (2010) – TV special
• Various talk shows and award shows (e.g., The Tonight Show, Grammy Awards)

Books

• Making It with Music: Kenny Rogers’ Guide to the Music Business (1978) – Co-authored with Len Epand
• Kenny Rogers’ America (1986) – Photography book
• Your Friends and Mine (1987) – Photography book
• Luck or Something Like It (2012) – Autobiography
• What Are You Hungry For? (2013) – Co-authored cookbook with Wanda Rogers

Other Ventures

• Kenny Rogers Roasters – Co-founded restaurant chain (launched 1991, still operates in some regions)
• The Gift (1996) – TV movie soundtrack and album