Introduction
The Truth Behind Trace Adkins’ $20 Million Divorce: Heartache, Healing, and Moving Forward
Trace Adkins, the unmistakable baritone of country music and a towering figure on the stage, has lived a life as dramatic and emotional as the songs he sings. Behind the chart-topping hits, sold-out tours, and television appearances lies a turbulent chapter that made headlines across the entertainment world — his $20 million divorce from third wife, Rhonda Forlaw Adkins. The public breakup shocked fans and exposed the personal toll that even the biggest stars can face behind closed doors.
Trace and Rhonda were married in 1997, and for nearly two decades, they were considered one of country music’s power couples. Rhonda, a former publicity manager at Arista Records, played a major role in Trace’s early career, helping guide his image and boost his success in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. Together, they had three daughters and seemed to share not only a home life but a professional partnership built on mutual ambition.
However, by 2014, cracks began to show. In March 2014, Rhonda filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The news came just months after Trace had completed a stint in rehab for alcohol-related issues following a highly publicized incident on a country music cruise. For fans who had followed his career, the divorce was a blow — especially after years of seeing Rhonda and Trace weather public challenges together.
What made the split so high-profile was the reported $20 million valuation of their marital assets. Rhonda sought primary custody of their children, child support, alimony, and a fair division of property — which included Trace’s earnings, real estate, music royalties, and other assets. The legal battle was quiet but intense, with the details mostly kept private. Still, the emotional weight of the proceedings could be seen in Trace’s demeanor during that period.
In later interviews, Trace admitted that the divorce was one of the lowest points in his life. Already dealing with personal demons, including his long-running battle with alcoholism and the lingering trauma of being shot by a former spouse in the 1990s, the split nearly broke him. “There were days I didn’t know if I was going to come out the other side,” he shared candidly. “But music saved me. My kids saved me.”
And eventually — love returned. In 2019, Trace married Canadian actress Victoria Pratt, whom he met while working on a film. The wedding was a small, intimate ceremony officiated by none other than Blake Shelton. Since then, Trace has found renewed joy in both his personal and professional life, continuing to release music and tour.
While the $20 million divorce from Rhonda Forlaw was undoubtedly painful and marked the end of an era, it also became a turning point. Today, Trace Adkins stands as a symbol of perseverance — a man who has walked through fire and come out stronger, using heartbreak as fuel for healing and growth. For fans, that honesty makes his voice ring even truer.