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Kenny Rogers' Son Got Job at Restaurant despite His Legacy It's Where He Spent Weekends with Lat

Kenny Rogers | Kenny Rogers, Wanda Miller, Justin and Jordan | Jordan Rogers | Source: instagram.com/wandamillerrogers | Getty Images | instagram.com/_kennyrogers

It has been two years since the world lost the iconic country music singer Kenny Rogers. However, he lives on in fans' hearts, particularly his son, Jordan, whom he had at age 66. The singer's mini-me continues to remember him as he finds ways to stay connected to the late singer, who was an exceptional father.

Kenny Rogers had an amazing life full of successes and international recognition. However, his personal life wasn't always pleasant. He was unlucky with love until he met Wanda Miller. The singer was married five times. However, his last marriage to Miller was the true love's kiss he needed.

The relationship was blessed with kids, and ultimately, it was a happy union. What turned out to be a fairy tale romance was coined through fate's webs.

Kenny met his wife while she was on duty at a restaurant in Atlanta. He was meeting with a blind date but ended up being smitten by the restaurant lady.

Much later, the singer phoned the restaurant to enquire about Miller. When the news reached her, she believed it was a joke. However, Miller was persuaded to return the call, which started something new.

Kenny Rogers and Wanda Miller attend the Celebrity Fight Night XX on April 12, 2014, in Phoenix, Arizona | Source: Getty Images

Consequently, their romance progressed and even blossomed into a happy ever after, although initially, it had its fair share of problems.

Miller, born in Lowndes County, was twenty-eight years Kenny's junior. Also, her husband was two years older than her parents.

At first, Miller's parents were skeptical about their romance, but they learned to accept things and be happy. Similarly, Kenny was not oblivious to their feelings; instead, he promised to treat their daughter right. In his words:

"I will make you a promise. I will never lie to her and I will never lie to you."

On June 1, 1997, the couple shared their vows at the singer's Georgian ranch. About six years later, Kenny, already a father of three, welcomed twins with his new wife.

Kenny Rogers Becomes a Father at 66

When he married Miller, the "Lady" singer was already a dad to three kids from his previous marriages, so he agreed not to have any more babies.

Even though he made the list of celebrity's most expensive divorces, the singer's estimated worth was $250 million at the time of his death.

On the other hand, a much younger Miller did not object. She shared the same conviction with her husband until two to three years later.

On her 31st birthday, she asked Kenny if they could at least have one child. The singer thought about it and decided to give it a try. While recounting their decision to expand the family, he revealed:

"So I did some soul-searching and realized it was unfair of me to take her childbearing years. I also didn't want her to wake up at 50 and me be dead and for her to have to say, 'I wish I hadn't married Kenny, I could have had kids.'"

Wanda Miller and Kenny Rogers with their sons Justin and Jordan Rogers at the "CMT Artists of the Year" on December 2, 2015, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Soon, Miller, who also had a twin sister, became pregnant, and they realized she was carrying twins. Even though they had bargained for one, Kenny found it "totally overwhelming." He mentioned:

"When I was told it was twins, man, I was thrilled. So was Wanda."

Kenny Rogers Retired to Enjoy Fatherhood

After over forty years in the music business, blessing fans with great hits and garnering worthy recognition, the singer decided to press the brakes on his career.

Kenny's inspiration for retirement was not because he had lost touch with fans or music but because of his love for his twins.

In 2016, during an interview with CMT.com, days before his final tour, "The Gambler's Last Deal," in Taipei, Taiwan, the singer admitted that he had to choose between his first love, music, and his family. Kenny shared:

"I hope my fans understand that I'm a father first and a singer second. As it turns out, I'm missing some very great parts of my boys' lives. I know as well as anybody else how that time gets away from you. And I don't want to miss it."

The country crooner said he was uncertain how much time he had to spend with his sons. This influenced his decision not to have kids in his old age.

Kenny maintained that he was bothered about not being there to celebrate their milestones, including birthdays and college admissions.

Amid the fears and speculations, the Grammy winner did not spend all his time counting his losses. Instead, Kenny invested in creating memories with his sons, whom he claimed made his life better. In his words:

"But it's that half-full/half-empty thing, because I get so much joy out of my children now and they are such a blessing to Wanda and me. They have drawn us together in a way that even sex can't."

Long before retiring, Kenny had been involved in his sons's lives, and in the days leading to his final tour, Justin and Jordan became a part of his tour group.

The singer took them to unique tour venues in the U.K and Asia. This experience was to etch a long-lasting memory in their lives. According to the music icon:

"My goal is to spend some time with them and take them to some places they might not have gone to without me. So, they can look back someday and say, 'My dad took me there.' That, to me, is my legacy to them."

Kenny Rogers Died in the Family Circle

On March 20, 2020, the Rogers patriarch took his last breath in his home. He was surrounded by family who revealed that he had a peaceful death from natural causes and was under the care of a hospice.

Kenny died at 81. He was a loving husband and father who understood the value of working and leaving an inheritance for his family.

Even though he made the list of celebrity's most expensive divorces, the singer's estimated worth was $250 million at the time of his death.

Still, he shared this fortune with every family member, including Miller, their sons, and his three kids, Carole, Kenny Jr., and Chris, from previous marriages.

Kenny Rogers's Sons Are Now Adults

Justin and Jordan had their father for about sixteen years, but they have gone on to cherish his memories, never failing to project how much they love him.

On Father's Day, Jordan updated a post via Instagram, where he wished the deceased a Happy Father's Day, adding that he misses him.

Now 18, Jordan works at the Cafe where the family established a weekend ritual called "super Saturday." They often visited the place with their dad, and despite his inheritance, he appeared excited to be a staff at the establishment.

Truly, Kenny's memories and legacy live on with his twins, who already understand the importance of paving their own path and hard work.

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Arica Deslauriers

Update: 2024-05-22