Kenny Rogers Kids: Late Star 5 Children With 4 Wives

Although late country star Kenny Rogers was best known for his iconic singing and songwriting, nothing meant more to the “Islands in the Stream” singer than fatherhood. Prior to his March 2020 death, Kenny was the proud dad of five kids: Carole, Kenny Jr., Chris and twin sons Justin and Jordan.

The Grammy Award winner’s children shared the news of their father’s death at age 81 at the time. “The Rogers family is sad to announce that Kenny Rogers passed away,” the statement read. “Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family.”

Throughout his life, Kenny took parenthood and life with his family seriously — especially with his fifth wife, Wanda Miller, and their younger boys. In an August 2016 interview with CMT News, the Country Music Hall of Famer explained why he decided to put a pause on touring at the time.

“I hope my fans understand that I’m a father first and a singer second,” he revealed. “As it turns out, I’m missing some very great parts of my boys’ lives. I know as well as anybody else how that time gets away from you. And I don’t want to miss it. I just worry about how much longer I’m going to be here, and I want to have time to spend with them. It’s pretty simple.”

Kenny expressed the same sentiment about his presence in his children’s lives when he opened up to The Tennessean in 2013. The Six Pack actor told the outlet because he felt he wasn’t there enough for his older children in a sense, he was doing everything he could to redeem himself with his twins.

“I think success requires that you be selfish sometimes, and I refuse to do that now,” he explained. “I’m determined to stay home with the boys, and it’s really a wonderful gift for me. So if I have no more success, I’m OK. But to have the opportunity to have success [is really special].”

We bet Kenny’s children are so proud of the legacy he left behind.

Scroll through the gallery below to learn all about the late country star’s five kids.

Carole Rogers

Kenny became a dad for the first time when he was just 19 years old after his first wife, Janice Gordan, welcomed daughter Carole in 1958. There’s not much known about Kenny’s eldest child, and the fact that he agreed to have limited contact following the former couple’s 1960 divorce seems to be to blame.

The “Coward of the County” singer opened up about his first marriage — which lasted just two years — and the decision he made to step away from his life with Janice during a 2012 interview with Fox News.

“That was my promise to them, that I would be her father but he (his ex-wife’s second husband) would be her Dad, and I don’t want to disrupt that,” he shared. “He stepped in at a time that was really awkward for all of us and he became her Dad, and I love him for that. He was a good guy.”

Kenny Rogers Jr.

After cutting ties with his first wife, the former Hollywood heartthrob married wife No. 2 Jean Rogers. However, their marriage only lasted three years and the country crooner went on to tie the knot with his third spouse, Margo Anderson, in 1964.

Kenny and Margo welcomed the star’s second child, Kenny Jr., throughout their 12-year marriage. Although Kenny Jr. did slip out of the spotlight throughout his father’s hectic career, he did grow up and work as a composer on movie soundtracks for Get Him to the Greek, according to Pop Culture.

Aside from also appearing in a few TV shows and movies, Kenny Jr. even produced an album titled Yes — No / Maybe with Cypress Records in 1998, according to Discogs.

Christopher Cody Rogers

In 1982, Kenny and his fourth wife, Marianne Gordan, welcomed his third child, Chris. The “Gambler” singer and the Rosemary’s Baby star — who exchanged vows in 1977 — were together for nearly two decades before calling it quits in 1993.

Following the news of Kenny’s death, Marianne exclusively opened up to Closer about her child’s bond with his dad. “Our son went to see him as much as possible to make sure he was alright,” she shared, noting they “knew that he was not in great health.”

There’s no doubt Kenny and Chris were a close father-son duo, especially since he often made appearances on his dad’s Instagram. In June 2017, Kenny shared a sweet photo of his family in honor of Father’s Day. “One of the most rewarding things in my life is to be a father,” he gushed alongside the photo with Chris and the rest of his family. “Thankful for the privilege! Happy Father’s Day Weekend to all fathers.”

Justin Charles Rogers and Jordan Edward Rogers

Kenny and his fifth wife, Wanda, welcomed the music producer’s youngest sons, Justin and Jordan, in 2004. The couple tied the knot in 1997 and were married up until his unfortunate death.

Considering Kenny adored fatherhood, he frequently shared snapshots with his twin kiddos on social media. In August 2019, the entertainer shared a heartwarming photo with Wanda and their two sons. “Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes!” he captioned the post with his brood at the time. “I’ve had a great day at home with my family, and we’re about to cap it off with dinner and a movie!”

Kenny also shared some throwback photos with his little men as he gave them a sweet birthday shout-out in July 2019. “Happy Birthday, Justin and Jordan!” he wrote.

On June 11, 2023, Kenny’s team shared an Instagram photo of Justin and Jordan at their high school graduation ahead of their 19th birthday.