This January marks 40 years since the release of one of the most played songs worldwide: We Are the World. The anthem - written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie - that brought together over 40 musicians to help end hunger in Ethiopia. The song, which extends for over seven minutes, features music legends such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Cindy Lauper, Tina Turner, and Kenny Rogers. The cheerful artist behind The Gambler, who passed away in 2020, leaving behind a fortune of 250 million and a house valued at four million. His heirs continue to mourn his loss.
Kenny Rogers' story began in 1938 in Texas, in a large family with unfavorable economic conditions. "My parents were bankrupt, and my father earned less than 75 dollars a week. We were not starving, but the food we received was not highly nutritious. We ate sandwiches and the like," commented the singer in 1986 on a show. However, his loved ones always encouraged him to pursue his passion for music, and in 1950, he began to stand out in country music. Although he did not record his first solo album until 1976.
Throughout his career, Rogers had 24 number ones. Such as Lady, Islands In The Stream, Lucille, She Believes In Me, and Through the Years. But not only was his discography prolific, so was his love life. In fact, he had five children, five wives, and his first marriage almost came as a surprise. "In early 1958, we found out that my girlfriend Janice Gordon was pregnant... And then I understood my responsibility. I was not afraid to take the step towards married life and had no intention of running away from my daughter Carole Lynne," the artist recounts in his autobiography Luck or Something Like It.
Despite this, his marriage to Janice only lasted two years, and his ex-wife remarried. Furthermore, her second husband became Carole's "dad," and Rogers accepted him because - at that time - "his schedule was too busy" to worry about a child. However, months after separating from his first wife, he decided to distract himself by getting married again. This time to Jean, about whom there is not much information. Except for the small details Kenny provided at the time. And what did he say? That they only lasted three years married because "they did not feel comfortable and got bored."
Subsequently, in 1963, Rogers walked down the aisle again with Margo Gladys Anderson, with whom he had Kenny Jr. in May 1964. For nine years, the musician was very present in his son's life. But when he broke up with his mother in 1975, he inevitably distanced himself. Nevertheless, the American remained interested in expanding his family, and in 1981, he had a son named Christopher with his fourth wife, actress Marianne Gordon, known for Rosemary's Baby. The couple lived together from 1977 to 1993, and according to Closer, their marriage was "wonderful"... Until it ended due to a crisis on the singer's part.
"Kenny always paid attention to me and always prioritized my wishes. But when he turned 50, something changed in him. He stopped focusing on us. He said he felt he was going through a midlife crisis. He felt his career was fading, and that's why we ended," Gordon stated 30 years ago. According to Rogers, his story with Marianne was one of the "nicest" of his life. Although it was not the last. Because in 1997, he married his fifth wife, Wanda Miller, the mother of twins Jordan and Justin, born in 2004. "She is my soulmate. She knows me better than anyone. She loves what I do, and I am interested in meeting her needs," Rogers told Reuters.
After his passing four years ago, his widows expressed sadness over his departure, and his children spoke well of him. However, what caught the media's attention the most was discovering his passion for renovating properties - which he used to buy, refurbish, and sell - and the challenging sale of the house where he spent his last Christmas. When the house was put up for sale, it was listed for four million dollars. However, as no one showed interest, the price dropped to 2.475 million. Nevertheless, some claim that the mansion is worth that (and more) for the memories its walls hold.
Kenny's mansion, located in Atlanta, features six bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and five half bathrooms, along with a spacious kitchen, two dining rooms, a living room, a movie theater, gym, bars, garages, and a mini disco, which the idol used to enjoy with his friends. For example, that space often led to the police being called to the famous singer's house because the noise was disturbing the neighbors. However, so far, none of the artist's fans have shown interest in acquiring his iconic home.