Introduction:
Few names in American music carry the same weight as Merle Haggard — a man whose voice could turn raw truth into melody, and whose lyrics painted the everyday struggles of life with honesty and grit. To speak of Haggard is to speak of authenticity. His music wasn’t just country; it was the sound of experience — of hard roads traveled, of mistakes made, and of love remembered. Among the many stories that make up his remarkable life, none is more touching than the one he shared about visiting his ex-wife, Bonnie Owens, shortly before she passed away. It is a story that captures both the heartbreak and the humanity that defined him.
Merle Haggard was married five times, but his marriage to Bonnie Owens between 1965 and 1978 stood out as one of profound creative and emotional partnership. Bonnie wasn’t just his wife; she was also his collaborator, his muse, and at times, his guiding light. She had already made a name for herself in country music, winning the ACM Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1965 — the same year they married. Together, they became a musical force, with Bonnie not only touring alongside Haggard but also helping raise his children from a previous marriage.
Haggard often said that Bonnie played an essential role in some of his most iconic songs. “Mama Tried,” “Working Man Blues,” and others — songs that became cornerstones of American country — might never have existed without her. As he once recalled, she was always ready with a pad and pen whenever inspiration struck, ensuring that no lyric went unrecorded. “She didn’t miss a thing,” he said fondly. Their partnership was as much about art as it was about love.
One of the most enduring results of that love was “Today I Started Loving You Again.” The story behind it is pure country gold: after a long tour in Texas, the couple finally had a week off. In the Los Angeles airport, Merle turned to Bonnie and said, “Today I started loving you again.” Ever the sharp artist, Bonnie immediately recognized the poetic beauty of his words and said, “What a great idea for a song.” That moment of tenderness became one of Haggard’s most beloved ballads — later covered by legends like Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, and Conway Twitty.
But the beauty of their story lies not in its romance, but in its grace. Even after their divorce, Merle and Bonnie’s bond endured. They found friendship in the ashes of their marriage, remaining close for decades. When Bonnie was in the final stages of Alzheimer’s, Merle visited her one last time. In a deeply emotional moment, she led him to her room, where a photograph of them together hung above her bed. Looking at it, she softly said, “He’s my favorite,” not realizing she was speaking of Merle himself.
That moment, tender and tragic, reflects the timeless humanity in Haggard’s songs — the reminder that love, even when forgotten, leaves echoes that never fade. For a man who made his name writing about real life, this final chapter was the most real of all.
Merle Haggard’s story with Bonnie Owens is not just about two country legends. It is a reminder of love’s endurance, of how art and affection can outlast even memory itself. In a world that often moves too fast, their story invites us to pause — to remember that behind every great song is a beating heart, and sometimes, a tear.