Country Music Shock: Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires Call It Quits After Over a Decade! Find Out What Led to Their Split.
After nearly 11 years of marriage, country music stars Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires are parting ways. Isbell, 45, officially filed for divorce from Shires, 41, on December 15th, just two months before what would have marked their 11th wedding anniversary, as confirmed by court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
The duo, who tied the knot in February 2013, shares an eight-year-old daughter named Mercy. Their partnership extended beyond their personal lives, as Shires played fiddle and provided backup vocals for Isbell’s band, the 400 Unit, while Isbell played guitar for Shires’ country supergroup, The Highwomen.
Despite outward displays of affection, such as celebrating their 10-year milestone on social media in February 2023, cracks in their relationship became apparent with the release of Isbell’s 2020 album, “Reunions.” Their marital struggles were laid bare in the 2023 documentary “Running With Our Eyes Closed,” where a poignant scene captured Shires reading an email she had sent Isbell discussing the prospect of marriage counseling.
Reflecting on the challenges of marriage in a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, Shires emphasized the universality of relationship ups and downs, regardless of fame or status. She remarked, “Life’s not easy, marriage isn’t easy, but aren’t we lucky to be able to live?”
Isbell, who has maintained sobriety since 2012, candidly shared with The New York Times in 2020 how the pressures of producing “Reunions” led him to emotionally withdraw from his wife and loved ones. He expressed a longing for the simplicity of addressing tangible issues like infidelity rather than grappling with a deeper sense of disconnection.
During a particularly challenging period in 2020, Shires temporarily relocated to a hotel for 10 days to gain perspective and space amid their strained relationship. However, the couple eventually reconciled.
Shires’ perspective on their marital turbulence was captured in her 2022 song “Fault Lines,” where she delved into the emotional complexities of navigating their relationship during the pandemic. In an interview with Nashville Scene, Shires described the song selection process for her album as deeply personal, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability in artistic expression.
As Isbell and Shires embark on separate paths, their journey serves as a reminder of the intricacies and challenges inherent in even the most celebrated relationships.