The biggest bombshells from the Willie Nelson docuseries: Relationships, alcoholism, financial troubles, and more

Willie Nelson and family recalls the musician’s personal ups and downs. From extramarital affairs to alcoholism and more, Willie’s family members help tell his story in the new documentary series. For a complete rundown of Willie’s greatest hits in the documentary, he read on.

Violent marital problems

At one point in the Paramount+ doc, Willie recalled his marriage to his first wife. marta mateus. The two married when he was 19 and she was just 16. Although they initially fell madly in love, their relationship became volatile and physically abusive, Willie noted.

“We had a lot of fun together, but we were both arguing and drinking a lot at the time,” he explained. “One morning we argued and she took a fork, threw it on the table and it got caught in her side. “She looked like a tuning fork.”

dramatic case

After divorcing his first wife, Willie married his second wife, Shirley Collie. However, the “Hello Walls” singer has been in a relationship Connie Koepke, who later became his third wife. During her marriage to Shirley, Connie became pregnant with her and Willie’s daughter. Paolo Carlene, and Shirley only found out about the bombshell after the hospital sent her and Willie the bill for Paula’s birth.

“Shirley wanted to know who the hell Connie Nelson was,” Willie observed. “The truth is, Connie was my girlfriend for several years before I got pregnant.”

Lana, Willie’s daughter, explained that Shirley “had no idea Connie existed” and “had no idea there was a baby until she got the bill from the hospital.” Lana then added, “That’s how she found out about Connie. “That’s how I discovered Connie.”

Bankruptcy struggles

In the 1990s, Willie found himself in a huge debt to the IRS, amounting to $32 million. The government confiscated his properties and even closed his studio. Financial problems date back to the 1970s, when Willie’s former business manager, Neil Reshen, failed to pay his taxes.

In the 1980s, the singer-songwriter had several million dollars, but he turned to an accountant, who apparently claimed that writing a check for $200,000 would wipe out the debt. After being advised to file for bankruptcy, Willie refused.

“I never intended and will never have a bankruptcy where people I owe money to will lose their money,” Willie noted. “It is very important to think positively. Probably the most important thing is to know that a negative thought will release poison into your system and eventually kill you if you keep doing it.”

Alcoholism

While still married to Martha in the 1960s, Willie’s excessive alcohol consumption became a major problem, especially when the first couple became parents to children Lana, Susie, and Billy.

“She and I were fighting worse than ever and I started drinking more than ever,” Willie admitted in the docuseries. “I got drunk every night and went home with someone different every night. [I was] slowly destroying itself. “I didn’t really care.”

Willie later admitted that he had committed suicide by deepening his drinking habits.

“While I was drinking, I tried to commit suicide several times,” he said. “Once, in the middle of winter, I was so depressed that I lay in the middle of the road waiting for a car to hit me. Not much luck. I had to pick myself up and keep trying to figure out how to make a living.

If you or someone you know is having emotional problems or thinking about suicide, call National lifeline for suicide prevention at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline. at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).