Alan Jackson Is His 3 Girls’ 'Dream Father' — He Helped His Eldest Overcome Her Young Spouse’s Loss

Alan Jackson is an example of an ideal dad for his three adult princesses! He is always by their side, sharing with them not only their joys but their sorrows too.

Country star Alan Jackson is a proud dad of three daughters—Mattie, Dani, and Alexandra, whom he shares with his wife of four decades, Denise Jackson.

The couple tied the knot on December 15, 1979, at the Newman Baptist Church in their hometown, Newnan, Georgia. Following six years of marriage, the high school sweethearts relocated to Nashville so that Alan could pursue a country music career.

He ultimately landed a recording contract with Arista Records thanks to his beloved wife, who met guitarist Glen Campbell as a flight attendant and recommended him.

Alan and Denise later became first-time parents to their eldest child, Mattie, who was born in June 1990. Their second daughter Alexandra arrived in August 1993, followed by their youngest, Dani, in August 1997.

When the couple's last-born daughter was only a year old in 1998, they briefly separated. The singer admitted he and Denise married at a young age and had yet to figure themselves out before committing:

"[...] We didn't ever have the chance to fall in love as adults and to learn who we are before making a commitment. I think we lost some of that original feeling. I did anyway."

Alan stepped out on his spouse and had multiple affairs. Denise then decided to write a book about their challenges and the importance of forgiveness as she forgave him for his transgressions.

When asked how Alan reacted after telling him about wanting to write about their relationship, the author stated that naturally, he was reserved but realized the essential part of writing it, which is forgiveness and healing:

"He knew why I wanted to write the book and that it was important for me to admit that he had been unfaithful."

Denise, co-author of "It's All About Him: Finding the Love of My Life," added many married couples experience such hurdles, and only a minority of them stand a better chance at salvaging their marriage while others come to an end.

Asked what message she was trying to send to her readers, the author explained better things have come out of such unfavorable circumstances:

"The greatest blessings in my life have come out of my worst shattering. His betrayal and our separation were what led to us being able to have the kind of marriage that we both always wanted."

Denise and Alan reunited four months after their separation and renewed their vows on their anniversary in 1998. The pair have maintained a solid union ever since.

Denise noted she and her husband realized that if they wanted to make a success of their relationship, they had to prioritize it. "Even if it's just getting up 30 minutes before the children do in the morning, having our coffee, and being together uninterrupted," she proposed.

As for parenthood, Denise's husband is an attentive father who is there for their daughters. Alan has expressed his desire for the kids to view him as a fun dad with a sense of humor.

"I talk to them; if they're dating some boy and I want to know what's going on, I'll just ask them. […] I do like to know what's going on because I know what I was like at that age," he once said.

Alan also gushed about his girls and described them as well-mannered, intelligent, and able to make informed decisions independently. He added:

"You have to trust them and try to raise them well. I mean, my girls are very sweet; I'm very proud of all of them."

When he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in April 2017, his second daughter Alexandra penned a touching tribute honoring his role as a parent.

She referred to her dad as her "best friend" who taught her kindness toward others and independence, praising him for doing a stellar job as a father and saying:

"You're every daughter's dream father. Thank you for raising us in a house filled with Jesus and music, and always making sure we knew whatever our dream was could be our reality."

Alan has dedicated some of his music to his kids. His song "You'll Always Be My Baby" was written for his eldest daughter Mattie's wedding in 2017 and was released in 2021.

Its opening lyrics are: "First steps, first words. Seems like yesterday you were just a girl. Skinned knees, climbing trees; All those memories so close to me. Now you're a woman on your own. All in love and nearly gone. But you'll always be my baby."

Tragedy in the Jackson Family

In their family, there have not only been joys but also sorrows. In September 2018, Mattie sadly lost her husband of eleven months, Ben Selecman.

His father-in-law announced the devastating news on Instagram, paying tribute to him. Alan shared two photos of him and his son-in-law and thanked fans for their words of comfort and for keeping his family in their prayers.

"Ben was a southern boy who loved hunting and fishing and just being outdoors. His childlike enthusiasm for each new day was contagious to everyone around him," wrote Alan, adding, "Ben, we love you. Rest in peace until we see you again."

Selecman tragically died after attempting to help a woman onto a boat on vacation in Jupiter, Florida. He fell from the pier and hit his dead, leading to fatal head injuries.

He was admitted to the ICU for 12 days for brain swelling and underwent several operations. Three weeks before his first anniversary with Mattie, he died. Selecman was only 28 years old.

"To say that it was a shock feels like a massive understatement. My marriage was taken so unexpectedly and suddenly. I was so young, just 28," said Mattie.

She added she knew straight away that she would not be able to cope with her grief all alone but knowing that her husband was in heaven and that they would be reunited one day made her strong in her faith and gave her hope through it all.

Mattie described her beloved spouse as an "abundant and joyful" individual who lived in the moment. She desires to carry on his legacy by serving those around her.

Following Selecman's untimely death, Mattie penned a book about losing him and called it "Lemon on Friday," in which she discussed her journey to healing from grief.

Mattie wrote on her Instagram that she had a surprise for her followers and could not wait to share it. She thanked her famous dad for the assistance; both her supportive parents wrote the foreword to the book.

In April 2022, Alan gushed about his daughter's achievement, posting a photo of him and Denise holding Mattie's book as Mattie stood between them. The songwriter stated he and Denise were "proud" of their firstborn, revealing she sold more than 20,000 copies of the book. "We love you! Mom and Dad," he penned.

In addition, Alan co-wrote a song with Mattie called "Racing the Dark." He expressed awe at how his daughter soldiered on through hard times and managed to write a book and a song on top of that—something he admitted would have been challenging for him to do.

Mattie had approached her Grammy Award-winning parent, telling him she had written down "lyrics" and asking him to make something of it. "So, I wrote a melody for it, and it turned out to be a very sweet song," recounted the doting dad.

Mattie told "TODAY" co-hosts Jenna Bush Hager and Hoda Kotb in November 2021 that her family and community members believed in her and rallied behind her through her book and songwriting journeys.

She admitted that, at times, she felt numb to the situation and doubted her efforts but chose to "trust" in her faith. Mattie realized that her story could be meaningful to someone else who also experienced grief.

Regarding the song, she said it occurred unexpectedly during the second anniversary of her husband's death, and her dad invited her to participate in the production process. "It was such a beautiful surprise. It is a gift for me," she said.

Finding Love Again

Fast forward to years later, Mattie has found new love and is happy again. She announced on Instagram in September 2022 that she was engaged to Connor Smith.

The happy couple had gone on a "beach week" outing to celebrate his Smith's 30th birthday, only for him to pop the question, to Mattie's surprise.

The bride-to-be posted a series of photos from their outdoor trip and flaunted her engagement ring. She expressed exhilaration over the proposal:

"Feeling overwhelmingly thankful, excited, and thrilled for this kind of surprise but so fervently prayed for ENGAGEMENT."

Mattie's dad has been there for her and the entire family, supporting and helping them. Now he is also a happy grandfather.

Last month, The "Good Time" singer announced he became a first-time grandparent. His daughter Alexandra and her husband Sam Bradshaw welcomed a baby boy on December 13.

The new addition to the family, Jackson Alvie Bradshaw, came at an exciting time as his grandparents, Alan and Denise, were marking their 43rd wedding anniversary.

The proud grandfather penned on social media that he was delighted with the birth of his grandchild. "So happy this little guy has made us grandparents," he said.

Alan and Denise have come a long way since their high school courtship. They became parents of three, he amassed great success in the music business, and they have conquered ups and downs in their relationship since the '70s.