Kenny Rogers Welcomed Twins at 65 — Discover the Lives of All Five of His Children

The legendary musician expanded his family with his fifth wife. Earlier in life, after having his older children, he didn’t envision having more kids. However, as time passed, his outlook shifted — and he eventually shared the reasons behind his change of heart.

Throughout his life, Kenny Rogers walked down the aisle five times, with wives including Janice Gordon, Margo Anderson, Marianne Gordon, and Wanda Miller. Each marriage marked a unique chapter in his life, with family playing a pivotal role in many of them.

After receiving prestigious honors, including three Grammy Awards and numerous Academy of Country Music accolades, Rogers decided to step away from the spotlight. He chose to spend more time with his loved ones and step back from his music career. Let’s take a closer look at his children, each born at a different phase of his life.

Carole Lynne Rogers

Kenny Rogers welcomed his first child, Carole, with his first wife, Gordon, in September 1958. The couple had married earlier that year in May. In a candid interview, Kenny reflected on how his life changed overnight:

“You know what? I loved her. At 19, I thought, ‘This is okay with me.’ But her parents thought I had ruined her life and were determined to break us up. It didn’t work, and it’s really sad because I think it could have worked.”

Kenny, Marianne Gordon, Christopher and Carole Rogers attend the David Copperfield Magic Show on May 15, 1987, in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Looking back, the Texas-born artist remarked, “You can’t say I’m afraid of commitment. I’ve been married five times!” As his career grew, personal relationships quietly shifted.

Kenny and Gordon parted ways in April 1960. With the demands of his burgeoning music career, his time with Carole became limited. By 1980, reports indicated that he had been granted only two hours of visitation per week with her.

When asked if he remained in contact with Carole, Kenny shared that he had chosen to step back out of respect for her family’s wishes. He had promised to be her father in name, but allowed her stepfather to take on the fatherly role.

Kenny Rogers Jr.

Kenny Sr. and Kenny Rogers, Jr. attend the 12th Annual People’s Choice Awards on March 11, 1986, in Santa Monica, California. | Source: Getty Images

Kenny’s third wife, Anderson, already had a daughter, Shannon, when they married in 1963. A year later, on May 24, 1964, they had a son, Kenny Jr.

However, the marriage didn’t last, and the couple divorced in 1975. Anderson eventually moved to Palm Springs with their son. In the years following the separation, Kenny’s relationship with Kenny Jr. became strained. Reflecting on their distant bond, he shared in 1980:

“I would wish desperately that my relationship with Kenny Jr. were better.”

Marianne Gordon, Kenny and Christopher Rogers at the 10th Annual American Music Awards on January 17, 1983, in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Though Kenny desired a better relationship with his son, his career often took precedence. Looking back, he admitted, “There’s a fine line between being driven and being selfish… I think I was selfish a lot.”

Christopher Cody Rogers

Kenny married his fourth wife, Gordon, in October 1977. Four years later, in December 1981, they had a son, Christopher, an actor and director. Initially, Kenny described their relationship as “perfect.” However, things shifted after their son’s birth.

Wanda Miller, Justin, Jordan, and Kenny Rogers at the Classic Center on February 12, 2011, in Athens, Georgia. | Source: Getty Images

Kenny shared that the change wasn’t anyone’s fault. “I wouldn’t want him to take any responsibility for this — because that’s when Marianne stopped touring with me and stayed home to take care of him,” he explained.

As time passed, they drifted apart. Kenny realized their lives no longer aligned, and eventually, they decided to part ways, agreeing that staying together just for the sake of it wasn’t right.

Though their marriage ended, Kenny remained committed to fatherhood. He recalled how telling Christopher about the divorce brought his son to tears. His greatest fear was losing his father, to which Kenny reassured him that would never happen.

Jordan Edward and Justin Charles Rogers (Twins)

Kenny’s fifth marriage to Miller in June 1997 brought him a new chapter in fatherhood. At 65, Kenny became a father to identical twin boys, Jordan and Justin, born in July 2004. Initially uncertain about having more children, both he and Miller had agreed not to start a family. However, when Miller turned 31, her desire to become a mother changed, and so did his.

Kenny, realizing it wouldn’t be fair to deny her the chance, said in an interview: “I didn’t want her to wake up at 50 and regret not having children.”

When he found out they were expecting twins, Kenny was ecstatic. “It wasn’t just ‘We are going to have a baby.’ It was totally overwhelming,” he said.

Becoming a father later in life came with concerns about missing key moments in his sons’ futures, but the joy they brought him outweighed the worry. He cherished fatherhood and felt a deeper bond with his wife.

As his twins grew, Kenny realized the significance of the moments they shared. He would later visit the Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Missouri, appreciating its mission to provide free therapy for children with special needs.

Reflecting on the challenge of keeping up with young children, Kenny called fatherhood “the greatest gift” despite the occasional tough moments. He also found joy in raising identical twins, calling it “the coolest thing.”

After retiring from touring at 77, Kenny focused on spending time with his sons, choosing family trips over the demands of his career. His plans included family vacations across Asia and Europe, hoping his boys would remember the experiences they shared.

Kenny’s legacy lived on through his children, especially Jordan and Justin, who celebrated their graduation in 2023. They continue to honor their father’s memory, keeping up traditions like “Super Saturdays” and cherishing his advice.

Kenny Rogers’ journey as a musician, father, and man who never stopped learning the meaning of love continues to resonate in the lives of his children.