Randy Travis Always Wanted Kids Yet Had None with 1ST Wife of 19 Years — He Embraced His 2ND Wife's Kids

Randy Travis wanted a good life that included his brood, but he did not have any kids. However, he got his wish by becoming a stepdad. Continue reading to find out more.

Country icon Randy Travis always wanted a big family, thanks to the large one he came from. His parents, Bobbie and Harold Traywick, had six kids in ten years.

Randy, born Randy Bruce Traywick, was the second of six children, and his childhood was quite scandalous.

He grew up in a relatively regular family with his mom working at a textile mill, while his dad was a cowboy and he owned a construction company.

Before ever dreaming of music, Randy only thought of the next mischief to pull. Growing up, he was more of a rascal; he always got in trouble. In his memoir, "Forever, and Ever, Amen," the singer referred to himself as "every parent's nightmare."

He wrote of how he possessed a "fiery temper" that got him in trouble each time it got the better of him. Randy was in a row in his teenage years, from totaling two cars, breaking into a store, and having a run with the law.

RANDY'S LOVE LIFE WITH ELIZABETH

Randy was still very much in his rebellious years when he started developing his musical talent. His life was fraught with alcohol and drug use, but there was a gift beneath it all, and it was music.

At 17, he won a singing contest at a club in Charlotte, N.C, where he met the owner, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher. Despite Randy's prudeness and chaotic nature, Hatcher saw his talent.

She is 16 years his senior, but they developed a friendship that lasted over three decades. Hatcher also became his manager, and they soon moved to Nashville, where country music dreams tended to flourish.

After that move, Randy decided it was time for a turning point. He turned away from his social vices and focused his energy on music. He once shared that Hatcher played a significant part in seeing him turn a new leaf.

He explained how his wife had a calmer approach to life and never shouted, fought, or was harsh to people around. He described Hatcher as selfless and going out of her way to help people.

Randy and Hatcher's friendship developed into something more as time went on. The pair started dating and kept it secret for 12 years. Finally, in 1991, the two tied the knot at Maui, Hawaii.

Once speaking of why they kept their relationship a secret, Hatcher noted that it was for the sake of his career. She shared that Randy needed to appear single and available to attract a younger audience.

The pair were married for 19 years before calling it quits. Randy had filed for a dissolution of marriage in Albuquerque, demanding an equal split of assets.

He and Hatcher also maintained their professional relationship after the split. They never had kids in all of their years together.

WHY THEY NEVER HAD KIDS

While having kids was part of his dreams, Randy and Hatcher did not quite come around to becoming parents. This was due to the age factor of his ex-wife. This was revealed in an interview with Randy's wife, Mary Travis. She stated:

"He wanted children, and I think his relationship with Lib, who was so much older than him and they were not able to."

She made it known that Randy had a special bond with kids and was quite charismatic around them. Mary explained how he could pick up a fan's crying baby, and his soothing voice could calm the child.

The award-winning singer also spoke of how he was involved in giving out gifts. Randy often received stuffed animals and myriads of gifts from fans, and he kept them in good shape to be given out to kids during Christmas.

RANDY'S LIFE AS A STEPFATHER

His bond with children became the catalyst in his relationship with Mary. Randy met her when he was married to Hatcher, and she was also married to Ritchie Davis.

Ritchie and Mary had two children, Cavanaugh and Raleigh, and Randy formed an adorable bond with them. His and Mary's family soon became close-knit, strengthening his bond with the kids.

Randy's bond with the couple's son, Raleigh, was exceptional. He described the young chap as energetic and quite the athlete. Because of the burst of energy, the duo often spent time together like father and son.

He even recalled taking Raleigh on tour with him. The two enjoyed wrestling contests, and they worked out together. While the bond with Mary's kids strengthened, Randy and Mary also had their own affair.

This would take a messy turn leading to both of their marriages. Randy and Mary bonded over "being emotionally beaten down," and according to him, it felt good to have someone to comfort him.

The duo fell in love, and their former marriages fall apart. The duo's affair became the situation of a blended family with the kids, and Randy described it as "rosy."

The divorce dragged on, but what was pleasurable to Randy was how he bonded with the kids. It wasn't easy getting a balance between getting divorced and playing stepdad roles, but the kids made it easy for him.

Hatcher and Randy finalized their divorce in 2011, and months later, he became engaged to Mary. Unfortunately, the couple experienced another challenge in 2013 when the singer suffered a massive stroke.

The health situation affected his speech and motor skills leading him to learn to speak and walk again. Randy's recovery process was slow, but Mary stood by him as they tied the knot in 2015.

Mary became Randy's spokesperson due to his speech impairment and gradually walked him through the process of talking again. His stepchildren also played a massive role in his recovery.

Raleigh often spent time with him bringing his friends around and Randy's bandmates and crew members.

When the country singer was inducted into the country music Hall of Fame in 2016, Raleigh and Cavanaugh were ever-supportive and present.