Today, the legendary Reba McEntire turns 68, and she’s as beloved as ever. It feels like she’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I still find myself listening to her music several times a week.
But Reba’s life hasn’t always been as glamorous as it seems. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of a heartbreaking plane crash that claimed the lives of several of her closest friends.
Reba’s rise to fame in country music started in the late 1970s and early 1980s. She became a star, winning “Best Singer” from the Country Music Association four years in a row! She even earned a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her career was soaring.
Despite her incredible success, though, Reba has faced more than her share of heartache. One of the hardest moments came in 2022, when her mother, Jacqueline, passed away at the age of 93 after battling cancer.
Reba shared the news on social media, writing, “She had a wonderful, full, healthy life and was absolutely ready to go. The cancer might think it won the battle, but we’re giving God all the credit for selecting the time for her to go home to Him.”
Jacqueline had always dreamed of becoming a professional country singer herself, but instead, she passed that passion to Reba. Jacqueline taught Reba how to sing, living out her own dreams through her daughter.
“She left knowing how much she is loved, and we all know how much she loved us. We’re all going to miss her, but we have so many wonderful memories,” Reba said, filled with emotion.
Reba’s journey through grief didn’t start there, though. Thirty-two years ago, on March 16, 1991, she suffered another devastating loss when a plane crash took the lives of seven of her band members and her tour manager.
I still remember that day. I was driving to work when the news came on the radio about the crash. For a moment, my heart stopped, thinking that Reba might have been on the plane, too.
Thankfully, she wasn’t.
On March 16, 1991, Reba and her band had performed in San Diego, and they were preparing to head to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for their next show. Two planes were scheduled to leave the airport, with Reba’s band and tour manager flying ahead. Reba, her husband, and her manager stayed in San Diego for the night.
Just ten miles from the airport, tragedy struck. The first plane crashed.
Over the years, Reba has never forgotten those she lost that day. She often pays tribute to them, keeping their memory alive. In a deeply emotional interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2012, Reba opened up about the moment she learned of the accident.
“The tip of the wing of the airplane hit a rock on the side of Otay Mountain, and it killed everyone on the plane,” Reba explained, holding back tears.
“When we were notified, Narvel—my manager—went and met with our pilot. He came back to the hotel room where I was—it was two or three in the morning—and he said one of the planes had crashed. I asked, ‘Are they OK?’ and he said, ‘I don’t think so.’ I said, ‘But you’re not sure?’ And he just said, ‘I don’t think so.’”
As Reba recounted the details, tears welled up in her eyes.
“Narvel was going room to room with a phone, making calls,” she said, pausing as the emotion of the moment took over. “I’m sorry—it’s been 20 years, but it’s like… I don’t guess it ever stops hurting. I can still see that room. I can still see Narvel pacing back and forth.”
Now, 32 years later, Reba still honors her friends. Recently, she posted a photo of her band on Instagram, remembering the tragic events of that day. Back in 2020, she wrote another heartfelt tribute, saying, “29 years ago today, I lost my friends in a plane crash. The timing of Mama’s passing with that anniversary seems appropriate.”
She added, “I know they’re all in Heaven together and taking care of each other. Let’s keep finding ways to take care of each other down here on earth and never take one moment with our loved ones for granted.”
Reba’s fans have always been quick to support her during these difficult times. They flooded her posts with love and prayers. One fan wrote, “Reba, I’ve always loved your music, our shared horse background, and now following you on Insta. Prayers for you and your mother.”
In 2023, Reba showed once again that she will never forget her friends. She posted another moving message: “Their love for music and the stage gives us all the strength to go on.” Alongside the post, she shared a video of her band performing, a tribute to the joy they brought to the world.
Reba’s fans continue to rally around her. One admirer shared, “So sorry, Reba. Stay strong, you fantastic woman. God kept you here on earth for a reason—you make so many people happy. Keep smiling!”
Reba McEntire’s life has been filled with both extraordinary success and heartbreaking loss. But through it all, she’s shown a remarkable strength and grace. She continues to inspire with her music, and her ability to persevere through even the toughest times makes her a true legend.