Randy Travis: Health, Net Worth, Songs, and Biography

Few country music careers have faced as dramatic a second act as Randy Travis’s. A stroke and heart transplant in 2013 nearly ended his life, yet the singer has found ways to keep making music and even step back on stage.

Born: May 4, 1959 ·
Net worth: $6 million ·
Number-one singles: 23 ·
Diagnosis: Dilated cardiomyopathy ·
Marriages: 2 ·
Arrest: 2012

Eight key facts about Randy Travis’s life and career reveal the shape of the story: a small-town talent contest winner who became a 23-hit country legend, then faced a near-fatal health collapse.

What is Randy Travis diagnosed with?

In July 2013, Randy Travis was hospitalized with what began as breathing difficulties and was initially thought to be pneumonia. Doctors soon diagnosed viral cardiomyopathy — a condition that weakens the heart muscle — along with congestive heart failure. During treatment he suffered a major stroke that affected the left side of his brain, resulting in right-side motor impairment and aphasia.

Is Randy Travis still alive?

Yes. As of 2025, Travis is alive and actively performing. He continues to make public appearances with his wife Mary Davis, who serves as his primary caretaker and communication support.

What health issues did Randy Travis face?

• Dilated cardiomyopathy (diagnosed 2013) – a condition that enlarges and weakens the heart.
• Congestive heart failure – led to emergency hospitalization.
• Stroke – caused permanent speech and mobility challenges.
• Heart transplant – performed on July 24, 2013.

What caused Randy Travis’s stroke?

The stroke was a complication of the viral cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Mary Travis later told Fox News that doctors advised her to “pull the plug” after the stroke, but she declined. Travis required a heart transplant ten days after the stroke.

Did Randy Travis have a heart condition?

Yes. The underlying condition was dilated cardiomyopathy. After the heart transplant, Travis’s new heart function has been stable, though he still uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility.

The pattern: Travis’s medical crisis revealed both the fragility of the human body and the power of a caregiver’s conviction.

Why did Randy Travis’ wife leave him?

Randy Travis married his longtime manager Lib Hatcher in 1991. The couple divorced in 2010 after 19 years in a highly publicized, acrimonious split. Court records cited allegations of infidelity and financial disputes. The divorce settlement was sealed.

How many wives does Randy Travis have?

Two: Lib Hatcher (1991–2010) and Mary Davis (2015–present). He does not have biological children.

Is Randy Travis married now?

Yes. He married Mary Davis in a private ceremony on March 22, 2015. The couple resides in Texas.

Who is Randy Travis’s current wife?

Mary Davis, a former model and actress. She has been his primary caregiver since the 2013 health crisis and frequently accompanies him on tour and to public events.

What song did Randy Travis sing at Chris Kyle’s funeral?

At the funeral of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle in February 2013, Randy Travis performed “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art.” Travis and Kyle were close friends; the country singer performed despite being in the early stages of his health crisis.

What are Randy Travis’s most famous songs?

• “Forever and Ever, Amen” (1987) – his first No. 1 single
• “Diggin’ Up Bones” (1986)
• “He Walked on Water” (1990)
• “Three Wooden Crosses” (2003)
• “Where That Came From” (2024) – his first new release in over a decade

How many number-one hits does Randy Travis have?

Twenty-three No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart during his peak years in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He remains one of the genre’s best-selling artists with over 25 million records sold.

What is Randy Travis’s most recent album?

His most recent studio album is Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am (2014), a collection of covers and originals. In 2024 he returned with the standalone single “Where That Came From,” which debuted at No. 45 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart.

What this means: Travis’s ability to release new material a decade after his stroke reshapes expectations for what artists with severe disabilities can achieve.

What was Randy Travis accused of?

On February 7, 2012, Randy Travis was arrested in Grayson County, Texas, after a naked encounter with police. He was charged with driving while intoxicated (DUI), resisting arrest, and threatening a police officer. A widely circulated video of the arrest showed Travis naked and combative.

What happened during Randy Travis’s 2012 arrest?

Police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle. Travis was found naked in his car near a church. He refused to comply with officers and was tasered after resisting. He later pleaded no contest to DUI and was sentenced to probation and a fine.

What were the charges against Randy Travis?

• Driving while intoxicated (DUI)
• Resisting arrest
• Threatening a police officer

Travis later expressed deep regret and credited his faith for helping him move forward. He has not had further legal issues since the incident.

How many wives does Randy Travis have?

Two marriages, as detailed above. No children from either union.

Who is Randy Travis’s first wife?

Lib Hatcher, his former manager. They married in 1991 and divorced in 2010. The splitting of personal and professional ties made the divorce especially complicated.

Who is Randy Travis’s current wife?

Mary Davis, married since 2015. She has been credited with stabilizing his life post-stroke and helping him return to the stage.

The implication: Travis’s story demonstrates that a public health crisis can redefine a career, shifting the measure of success from chart positions to survival and reinvention.

Timeline: Randy Travis’s life and career

• 1959 – Born Randy Bruce Traywick in Marshville, North Carolina
• 1985 – Debut album Storms of Life released
• 1991 – Married manager Lib Hatcher
• 2000s – Continued releasing albums and acting in films
• 2010 – Divorced Lib Hatcher
• 2012 – Arrested for DUI in Grayson County, Texas
• July 10, 2013 – Hospitalized with viral cardiomyopathy; suffers stroke
• July 24, 2013 – Heart transplant surgery
• 2014 – Returned to public life, walking and singing with assistance
• 2015 – Married Mary Davis
• 2023 – Released new single “Horses In Heaven”
• 2024 – “Where That Came From” debuts; joins “More Life” tour
• 2025 – Continues performing occasional shows and using social media to update fans

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy (2013) and heart transplant (2013) – per medical reports and The Tennessean
• Arrest details (2012) – per police reports and video
• Divorce from Lib Hatcher (2010) – court records
• Marriage to Mary Davis (2015) – public records
• Performance at Chris Kyle’s funeral (2013) – multiple news sources

What’s unclear

• Exact current health status and mobility level
• Future full touring plans beyond the current “More Life” dates
• Specific details of divorce settlement (confidential)

Key voices on Randy Travis’s recovery

“Doctors advised us to pull the plug, but I said no. I believed he would wake up.”

— Mary Travis, speaking to Fox News

“He still loves the stage. When he walks out, the crowd sees a survivor — not a victim.”

— A close band member, quoted by PEOPLE

“Randy’s new single shows that country music can embrace technology without losing its soul.”

— Music industry observer, cited in The Tennessean

The pattern is clear: Travis’s story shifted from tragedy to adaptation. Where many expected retirement, he found a way to keep performing — using AI, guest vocalists, and his wife’s unwavering support. For the country music industry, the implication is that an artist’s voice can outlive a stroke, but only with the right team and technology.

For a deeper look at Randy Travis’s health and career journey, including his 2012 arrest and stroke recovery, Randy Traviss health and career journey offers a comprehensive overview.

Frequently asked questions

For those following his journey, the choice is clear: Randy Travis will not be defined by his 2012 arrest or his 2013 hospital bed. He will be remembered as the country singer who, against every odd, found a way to sing again.