The GEORGE JONES Only I Knew

THE TROUBLED COUNTRY SINGER FOUND GRACE IN HIS LAST MARRIAGE

- Fortune Benatar

On his 80-acre estate outside of Nashville, country music legend George Jones liked to feed the fish. “We had a big ol’ pond, and he loved to go out there,” his widow, Nancy Jones, tells Closer. “We rode golf carts with the grandkids — he loved the grandkids! We just had a blast out there with nobody bothering us.”

The Texas-born performer, whose hits include “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” was often called one of the greatest country singers of all time, but George became just as famous for his excessive drinking and his habit of blowing off concert appearances. Nancy, his fourth wife, entered his life in the 1980s, salvaged George’s flailing career and reputation, and helped him beat back his troubles. Her new memoir, Playin’ Possum, tells the story of their turbulent but tender 32-year relationship.