VibeJolt

Lee Greenwood's Wife Kimberly Payne Made His Life Complete All We Know about the Singer's Fourth

Lee Greenwood's first three marriages were challenging, and the singer said he regretted marrying too soon. However, things turned around for the better when he married his fourth wife, Kimberly Payne, and he has been happy ever since.

In April 2022, singer-songwriter Lee Greenwood shared a photo on Instagram depicting him and his wife, Kimberly Payne, on their wedding day. The couple posed happily before what appeared to be a church entrance in their wedding attire.

Kimberly Payne donned a stunning gown with a long, rounded tail with lace detailing at the hem. The off-shoulder dress hugged her figure and had a large bow resting on her lower back. She held a large bouquet of white roses, standing close to her husband.

Looking dapper in a black tux and bow tie, Lee smiled at the camera, draping his hand around Kimberly's waist. That year, the couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary after tying the knot in 1992.

Lee called it the "most wonderful day" of his life and gushed, "Kim has shown me love I had never known. She has blessed me every day since then, and she is as beautiful today as the day we met."

After 30 years, the songwriter was still captured by Kimberly's magic. She was 24, and he was 49 when they wed. Lee led a remarkable music career — working with Barbara Mandrell, singing at inaugurations for George W. Bush and Donald Trump — while Kimberly excelled in another form of entertainment.

Lee Greenwood and Kimberly Payne pose at the 50th annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 2, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Lee Greenwood's Wife, Kimberly Payne, Was Once Miss Tennessee USA

Kimberly graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications. She won the Junior Miss Tennessee pageant in 1985 as a teen before earning the Miss Tennessee USA crown in 1989.

As a performer, she performed worldwide in over 20 countries and has entertained US troops in several USO tours, one of which she met her husband. Today, she is the president of Greenwood Productions, Inc.

The company hosts the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA pageants in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Kimberly is also the Executive Director for these events. A Nashville resident, she is an active community member who regularly assists in church and civic activities.

Lee Greenwood and Kimberly Payne Actively Keep Their Romance Alive

Lee hasn't shied away from sharing some insight into his personal life and marriage. Though he acknowledged that "the small things" often lead to disagreements, he also felt that the small efforts made his relationship work.

"We care for each other a lot," he said of himself and Kimberly. "She makes sure that I'm a happy guy, and I make sure that she's a happy woman. It takes a little bit of effort to make sure you think about each other each day when you get up."

Lee Greenwood and Kimberly Payne pose at Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night XVII at JW Marriot Desert Ridge Resort & Spa on March 19, 2011, in Phoenix, Arizona | Source: Getty Images

Moving away from the glitz and glam of fame also strengthened their bond. Lee added that their "creativity about love" and "passion for life" kept their romance exciting. "There's no limit on things that my wife likes to do, and I love that," he shared.

When Kimberly celebrated her birthday in 2019, he wrote, "Today, I celebrate my beautiful wife Kim more than any other day of the year, because today God made the perfect woman! Happy Birthday to the lady who has made my life so complete!"

Lee Greenwood and Kimberly Payne are pictured as they arrive at SiriusXM Nashville Studios at Bridgestone Arena on January 30, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee | Source: Getty Images

Lee Greenwood and Kimberly Payne Have Two Sons

Kimberly and Lee have two sons, Dalton and Parker. Dalton recently graduated from Vanderbilt University with a Ph.D. in cancer research. Parker studied musical theater and composition at Texas Christian University and attained his degree in 2022.

From his three previous marriages, Lee has four other children Laura, Ted, Marc, and Kelly. He remained close with his eldest kids (Laura and Ted) from his first marital union but has shared little about his other ex-wives and kids. He touched briefly on the latter in 2010, saying:

"[...] My exes, I don't talk to them. They weren't pleasant divorces. For my children's sake, I do respect their mothers, however, because they took care of those children when I wasn't there."

His younger sons frequently appear on his and Kimberly's social media, so family time seems important to them. But since Kimberly and Lee became "empty nesters," the couple has also prioritized quality time.

ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1ncWpla3qtscRmnqudlaPEsLvDrGSwoZaaeqy1zJucq6SpYr2ixc2eZKaZlJp7qcDMpQ%3D%3D

Zora Stowers

Update: 2024-05-19