Country music icon Kris Kristofferson passed away at the age of 88 on Saturday, September 28, 2024. This heartbreaking news was confirmed by his family through an Instagram post, announcing that he died peacefully at his residence in Maui, Hawaii. They expressed:
“We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all.”
No official cause of death has been disclosed. However, the celebrated singer had previously faced severe health challenges. In approximately 2006, he suffered from memory loss, which was initially mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease. It was later discovered that the underlying issue was Lyme disease.
“It’s like Lazarus coming out of the grave and being born again”—Chris Gantry reflects on Kris Kristofferson’s health
According to a January 2024 article from Taste of Country, Kris Kristofferson had been grappling with memory loss since around 2006. At that time, his medical team suspected either Alzheimer’s or dementia, attributing it to concussions sustained during his youth from football and boxing.
A 2016 Rolling Stone interview with his wife, Lisa Kristofferson, revealed that on particularly challenging days, the country legend struggled to recall what he had been doing just moments before.
In a pivotal moment in 2016, a doctor diagnosed him with Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness that can result in memory impairment and neurological issues. Following a positive blood test, Kris began a more effective treatment regimen, discontinuing his previous medications.
Lisa Kristofferson shared that “he was taking all these medications for things he doesn’t have, and they all have side effects.”In a 2016 interview with LymeDisease.org, she noted that her husband suffered from additional health concerns, including sleep apnea, painful knees, arrhythmias, and anemia.
After receiving the correct treatment, Kris Kristofferson’s health saw significant improvement. Lisa reflected to Rolling Stone that while he experienced memory lapses, “Some days he’s perfectly normal, and it’s easy to forget that he is even battling anything.”
His friend Chris Gantry, speaking to Closer Weekly in August 2016, remarked on Kristofferson’s revitalized health:
“It’s like Lazarus coming out of the grave and being born again.”
In the interview with LymeDisease.org, Lisa Kristofferson noted that Kris was also misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia. She detailed his struggle with severe painful spasms throughout his body, which they managed through various treatments, including acupuncture, heat, and a spinal cortisone injection.
She later speculated that he likely contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite while filming in the woods for his 2006 movie, Disappearances.
Despite ongoing memory challenges, the country music legend performed until 2021, when he announced his retirement. In a January 2021 conversation with Variety regarding Kris Kristofferson’s retirement, his manager, Tamara Saviano, clarified that it was not health-related, stating:
“He’s really healthy and in good shape.”
However, a September 2023 article by Radar Online, which referenced the singer’s friends, suggested he was “facing his final days.”According to the report, he had put his expansive 550-acre California property up for sale, indicating an intent to “turn his holdings into cash”for his family’s ease after his passing. This report remains unconfirmed.
More about Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson began his career in the military before dedicating himself to music as a songwriter. He achieved fame after releasing his second studio album, The Silver Tongued Devil and I. His popular songs include “Why Me,””How Do You Feel About Foolin’ Around,”and “Rain.”
In addition to his music career, Kristofferson was also a successful actor, starring in films such as A Star is Born (1976), Cisco Pike (1972), and the Blade Trilogy (1998-2004). The former earned him a Golden Globe for Best Actor.
Throughout his illustrious career, the country music legend received numerous accolades, including four Grammy Awards. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023. Even after announcing his retirement in January 2021, his influence in the music industry remained profound.
Kris Kristofferson is survived by his wife, Lisa, eight children—Tracy, Kris Jr., Casey, Jesse, Jody, John, Kelly, and Blake—and seven grandchildren.
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