Carly Pearce, Mark Chesnutt and Colt Ford all made headlines in recent years for major medical issues, but they’re not the only country singers who are living with serious illness.
Living with chronic illness is just a fact of life for a number of country artists.
Which Country Stars Are Living With Chronic illness?
Willie Nelson lives with serious chronic illness, but he doesn’t let that stop him.
The Country Music Hall of Famer still tours and releases new music every year, as part of a schedule that would be difficult for a much younger artist.
Alan Jackson has been living with a serious illness for more than 10 years, while Shania Twain, Clay Walker and more also sustain active careers while privately managing various ongoing maladies.
Take a look at which country singers are living with serious chronic illnesses by scrolling through the pictures below.
14 Country Stars Who Are Living With Serious Health Conditions
Carly Pearce, Mark Chesnutt and Colt Ford have all made headlines recently for serious medical problems, but they’re not the only country stars living with chronic illness.
Mark Chesnutt: Heart Problems
Mark Chesnutt has canceled shows several times in recent years over unspecified health problems, but the situation turned far more serious in June 2024. The ’90s country traditionalist suffered a heart issue that led to emergency quadruple bypass surgery.
He has since made a full recovery, and he’s back touring on his 2025 Redemption Tour.
Shania Twain: Lyme Disease
Shania Twain disappeared from the limelight for a number of years, and fans had no idea she was fighting a long-term health battle. She contracted Lyme disease in 2003 after a tick bite, and Twain battled vocal problems including dysphonia for years, completely losing her voice at one point. She finally underwent open-throat surgery, and while her voice has not returned to what it was before, she has been able to resume recording and performing.
Randy Travis: Aphasia
Randy Travis has been mostly unable to work in music since a stroke in 2013 took away most of his ability to speak and sing. He has made a number of public appearances and remains a beloved figure, but so far, his hope of recovering enough to return to singing has not materialized. However, Travis did release a new single titled “Where That Came From” in May 2024, with the assistance of AI. Fans and industry friends have mostly voiced support.
Alan Jackson: Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease
Alan Jackson revealed in 2021 that he had been living with a degenerative nerve condition for more than 10 years. His diagnosis? Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which causes nerve damage in the body, primarily in the arms and legs.
The country icon has subsequently grown unstable on stage, and he stepped away from touring in 2025, though he shared plans for one final all-star show in Nashville in 2026.
Willie Nelson: Emphysema
Willie Nelson has struggled with breathing issues for years, including emphysema. His breathing challenges have become so bad that he even gave up smoking marijuana in 2019, though he still uses edibles. Despite that, the 91-year-old country legend continues to record new music and perform, canceling shows here and there as necessary.
Clay Walker: Multiple Sclerosis
Clay Walker has been living with multiple sclerosis since 1996, and wow, has he ever proven his doctors wrong. He was initially told he’d be in a wheelchair by 2000 and dead by 2004, but nearly 30 years later he’s still going strong. He formed Band Against MS in 2003 to encourage fundraising and education about the illness.
Trace Adkins: Heart Problems
Trace Adkins’ second wife famously shot him in the heart during an argument over his drinking, and though he survived after open heart surgery, the country star still has to have regular heart checkups as a result of the damage the bullet inflicted.
Eric Paslay: Diabetes
Eric Paslay has been living with Type 1 diabetes since he was 10, but he doesn’t let it slow him down. He maintains an active schedule as a performer and a songwriter.
RaeLynn: Diabetes
RaeLynn also lives with Type 1 diabetes, and like Paslay, she not only thrives, but she also routinely makes appearance for fundraising and awareness on the topic.
Kris Kristofferson: Lyme Disease
Kris Kristofferson suffered memory loss for years due to what was believed to be either Alzheimer’s or dementia, but the country icon made what some call a “miracle recovery” after doctors determined that he was being treated for the wrong ailment. Kristofferson actually lived with Lyme disease, and once he began receiving the right treatments, he started to improve dramatically. Kristofferson died on Sept. 28, 2024 at the age of 88, but there’s nothing to indicate his Lyme disease was a contributing factor.
