Kellie Pickler Has No Kids with Her Late Husband Kyle Jacobs
Though Kellie Pickler has no kids, she is a godmother and dog mommy. When she clocks out from work, she is also a good friend, neighbor, and devoted wife to the late Kyle Jacobs.
Kellie Pickler's husband, Kyle Jacobs, was found dead at their expansive estate in Nashville, Tennessee, in February 2023. In May, the coroner released the details surrounding the songwriter's death.
As of May 11, 2023, Pickler has not made a public statement to the press or social media about her partner's death, and she left her post at SiriusXM's "The Highway" in March.
Pickler is a singer and songwriter who gained fame before she turned 20. She rose to fame in 2006 as a contestant on "American Idol." After the show, she signed a recording deal and released her debut album the same year.
She has since released several other albums and once revealed she felt "blessed." Besides singing, she once admitted to loving gardening, rocking on her front porch, puzzles, and having good conversations.
Kellie Pickler and Her Husband Weren't Ready for Kids in 2019
"We're dog parents for now," the then 32-year-old "Best Days Of Your Life," singer told Us Weekly in May 2019 when prompted about parenthood.
Pickler confirmed that she had two puppies with her husband. She was, however, "so excited" for her friend Meghan Markle's baby with Prince Harry.
She and Jacobs had met the Duchess on a United Service Organizations (USO) tour a few years ago. Pickler has completed 11 USO tours to date, per her website.
Pickler's love life revolved around one man for over a decade. Her husband, Jacobs, born June 26, 1973, is also a country musician and has worked with Garth Brooks, Kelly Clarkson, and Tim McGraw, and wrote "Dust" for the Eli Young Band.
The country couple ditched their plans for an elaborate Tennessee wedding to elope to Antigua at sunset.
The former "American Idol" contestant met her future hubby in a Nashville bar through mutual friends. A day after they met, the duo got together to write music together.
Kyle Jacobs with Kellie Pickler backstage during the "Music City Keep on Playin'" benefit concert at the Ryman Auditorium, on May 16, 2010, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
June 15, the day her grandmother died, was always a tough time for the "Beauty and the Beet" voice actress until Jacobs gave the day new meaning by proposing to her in 2010. Pickler said at the time:
"We both feel like we got my grandmother's blessing,"
The country couple ditched their plans for an elaborate Tennessee wedding to elope to Antigua at sunset. The intimate affair occurred on the Caribbean island on New Year's Day 2011.
The glamorous star told The Boot that Jacobs likes her best in sweatpants without makeup and that he is OK with whatever she wears as long as she is healthy:
"He makes me feel so, so great about myself. I feel so beautiful when I'm with him,"
Country music lovers knew the couple intimately through their CMT reality show with a comedic flare, "I Love Kellie Pickler." The show ran for two seasons between 2015 and 2016 and featured some of their famous pals, such as Jennifer Wayne, Daylan Honeycutt, and Lee Brice.
Songwriter Kyle Jacobs discusses "I Love Kellie Pickler" at AOL HQ, on August 23, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Kyle Jacobs Died by Suicide in 2023
Pickler woke up on the morning of February 17, 2023, without her husband by her side and went looking for him in their Nashville home.
She tracked him down with her assistant to a locked bedroom also used as an office. As they could not unlock the door, the assistant called 911, and he was found dead in the room.
According to the autopsy report that media outlets obtained, his cause of death was ruled a suicide, and he had no drugs in his system. The late songwriter had a history of chronic alcohol use and pseudoseizures, among other ailments.
Jacobs' last post on social media was on February 15, when he congratulated Lee Brice on going platinum with "Hey World," a project he had contributed to.
In a heartfelt statement on February 22, Brice expressed his profound gratitude for having the songwriter by his side. The "Hey World" hitmaker said that he would keep Kellie Pickler, Jacob's family, and "everyone who was touched by him close to [his heart.]."
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org.