Meet Kris Kristofferson’s Siblings: Karen Kirschenbauer and Kraigher Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas. His early years were marked by frequent relocations due to his father’s role as an Army Air Corps officer and later as an engineer for Standard Oil. These moves took the family across the country, with Kris eventually settling in San Mateo, California during his youth.

Kris was born to Lars Henry Kristofferson, of Swedish descent, and Mary Ann Ashbrook, who had British and French ancestry. He grew up in an Episcopalian household, which likely influenced his early moral and spiritual beliefs.

Kris had two siblings: his sister Karen Kristofferson Kirschenbauer, who briefly pursued acting, and his brother Kraigher Kristofferson, a U.S. Navy fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.

Kristofferson‘s education mirrored his dynamic upbringing. After attending various schools, he graduated from high school in San Mateo. He first attended Pomona College, where he played football, but was expelled for a prank. He later transferred to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he excelled both academically and athletically, earning a degree in engineering and a Golden Gloves boxing title in 1959.

As a Rhodes Scholar, Kris went on to study literature at Merton College, Oxford, with a focus on William Blake, an influence that would later shape his songwriting.

After his time at Oxford, Kristofferson served in the Army, including a stint with the 82nd Airborne Division. However, in 1965, he made the unexpected decision to resign his commission and pursue a music career, abandoning the military path many thought he would follow.

Kris Kristofferson, the iconic American singer, songwriter, and actor, was part of a family whose members had their own notable accomplishments, though he was the one who ultimately rose to fame.

Karen Kirschenbauer

Karen Kirschenbauer, born on December 18, 1938, in Brownsville, Texas, was Kris Kristofferson‘s sister. Her life was marked by both personal and professional endeavours. Karen was married to Colonel George Kirschenbauer and had three sons together. Their family life was deeply intertwined with military service, mirroring some aspects of her brother’s early life influenced by their father’s military career.

Professionally, Karen ventured into acting, though not as extensively as her brother. She is known for her roles in films like “The Jackal” (1997) and “Sommersby” (1993), indicating a brief but impactful presence in the film industry. While not as expansive as Kris’, her career reflected a shared familial trait of artistic inclination, albeit in different mediums.

Tragically, Karen passed away on May 6, 2005, in Middleburg, Virginia. Though her life was cut short, she left behind memories cherished by her family, including her brother Kris, who undoubtedly shared many experiences with her, given their family’s mobile lifestyle due to their father’s job with Aramco in Saudi Arabia, among other places.

Kraigher Kristofferson

Kraigher Kristofferson, Kris‘ brother, carved out a life distinctly marked by service and adventure. Unlike his siblings, who ventured into the arts, Kraigher‘s path led him to the U.S. Navy, where he served as a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. His military career defines him as a veteran, embodying the Kristofferson family‘s strong connection to military service, a tradition Kris briefly followed before his music career took off.

Kraigher‘s story, less documented in public records, speaks volumes of the diverse ways siblings can interpret and live out the values instilled in them. While Kris chose music and acting to express his views and experiences, Kraigher‘s service in the military during one of America’s most contentious wars reflects a different commitment to duty and country.