Alan Jackson and his wife Denise have a lot to celebrate this holiday season and in the next year. The couple, who have been married for 43 years, brought their first grandchild into the world on Wednesday, December 13—just two days before they celebrated their anniversary.
As high school sweethearts, Alan and Denise tied the knot on December 15, 1979, when Alan was 21 and Denise was 19. They were married, but split up nearly two decades later; they never divorced and eventually reconnected.
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They have three daughters: Mattie Denise Selecman (born 1990), Alexandra Jane “Ali” (born 1993), and Dani Grace (born 1997). Although Ali is the middle child, she is the first to become a parent, making Denise and Alan the first generation in their family to become grandparents.
Alan Jackson shared an Instagram photo of him and his wife holding their infant to celebrate the joyous event. Alan, wearing his signature Cowboy hat, sat on a couch beside Denise, who held their newborn child in her arms. The newfound “grandparent glow” was noticeable.
Just a few hours before, Alan had shared yet another photo of him and his wife, this one marking 43 years of marriage. The singer stated in the caption, “Everyone, wish Alan and Denise a Happy Anniversary!” after seeing hundreds of fans leave well-wishes for the couple in the comments area.
Approximately three weeks after Alan Jackson posted a family photo on Instagram in front of his big fireplace, in which Ali was clearly pregnant, the news broke. Alan and his family, including his wife, three children, and their respective partners. Oh, and both of their dogs were there, too.
Over the course of his impressive 40-year career, Alan Jackson has released 16 studio albums, three “Greatest Hits” collections, two gospel albums, and two holiday collections. His global record sales of 75 million, including 44 million in the United States, are unmatched.
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That’s why it wasn’t a shock that Alan Jackson was honored at this year’s Country Music Awards, hosted by Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan, with the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. It’s given to “an legendary performer who has achieved the highest degree of recognition in Country Music.”
“I’ve had a great team around me my whole career that has helped me, great songwriters. I’ve been so fortunate to have all that to help me get this far. I can’t thank everybody who’s been in my life all these years, but I do have to say thanks to my wife Denise, over there somewhere,” he said in his speech.
Over the past 20 years, Jackson has been admitted into three Halls of Fame: the Georgia Music Hall of Fame (in 2001), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (in 2018), and the Country Music Hall of Fame (in 2019). He continued, “I’ve obviously lived the American dream,” and emphasized that he was still doing so.