Alan Jackson took to social media on Wednesday to wish Denise, his wife of 42 years, a happy birthday.
The Country Music Hall of Famer’s post included several photos of the couple throughout the years and the caption, “Happy Birthday, Denise! ❤️”
Denise has been by Alan’s throughout his entire career as they began dating while in high school after meeting at a Dairy Queen near their hometown of Newnan, Georgia.
The pair got married on December 15, 1979. (Fun fact: Denise’s maiden name was also Jackson, so she didn’t have to change her last name after getting married!)
The couple relocated to Nashville in 1985 where Alan worked in a mailroom and performed anywhere and everywhere that would allow him stage time. He quickly got his first big break, thanks to his wife’s chance meeting with country legend Glen Campbell.
Denise spotted Campbell at the airport while working as a flight attendant. She introduced herself and he gave her a business card for his publishing company.
“This connection lead me down the path that brought me to where I am today,” Jackson explained in a 2017 Facebook post honoring Campbell.
With Campbell’s help, Jackson signed his first publishing deal. That’s when doors began to open.
Alan Jackson went on to release his debut album in 1990 and went on to become a country music legend with 35 No.1s and 50 Top Ten singles.
Alan and Denise have three daughters, Mattie, Alexandra and Dani.
The couple has faced many challenges together, including a separation in 1997, Denise’s colorectal cancer diagnosis in 2010 and Alan’s battle with a degenerative nerve condition called Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.
They also endured unimaginable heartbreak in 2018 when their eldest daughter’s husband lost his life as a result of a traumatic head injury.
Alan Jackson and Denise’s relationship has withstood the test of time and all of the ups and downs life has thrown at them.
