Reba McEntire Shares Dramatic Birth Story on 70th Birthday
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – As the sun rose on November 5, 2023, country music icon Reba McEntire celebrated a significant milestone—her 70th birthday. Known for her powerful voice and captivating performances, McEntire took to social media to share a heartfelt reflection on her life, including a dramatic recounting of her birth story that resonated with fans and followers alike.
In a touching Instagram post, McEntire expressed gratitude for her mother, Alice, who played a pivotal role in shaping her life. “The first thing I thought of this morning was I’m so glad Mama feels better today than she did 70 years ago. I’m also glad she kept me,” she wrote, setting the tone for a nostalgic and emotional tribute. McEntire, the third of four children, recounted the chaotic household of her early years, where her older siblings, Alice and Pake, kept their mother on her toes.
The story took a dramatic turn as McEntire described the night of her birth in March 1955. “When her water broke in the middle of the night, she changed her nightgown and went back to sleep!” she humorously recalled. It was a testament to her mother’s resilience and strength, qualities that McEntire has often admired and emulated throughout her life. The narrative continued with the urgency of the situation as her father drove her mother to the hospital in McAlester, Oklahoma. “I was breach, so the doctor had to turn me around and get me headed out in the right direction,” she explained, adding a touch of humor to the serious nature of her birth. “I was a dry/breach birth with only gas to help Mama get through it. After all that, she kept me. So glad she did…”
McEntire’s heartfelt message didn’t stop at her birth story. She expressed profound gratitude for the family she was born into, stating, “God blessed me with the best family and the best aunts, uncles, and cousins a kid could ever wish for! And what a life He’s given me.” This reflection on her roots and the love that surrounded her as a child is a recurring theme in McEntire’s life and career, often influencing her music and public persona.
As fans and friends showered her with birthday wishes, McEntire took a moment to acknowledge their love and support. “Thank you everyone who has wished and sang Happy Birthday to me last night and today,” she wrote. “I love you with all my heart! You have made my life better, more fun and have enriched my life beyond my wildest imagination.” Her words were a reminder of the deep connections she has forged throughout her career, both with her audience and her loved ones.
The loss of her mother in 2020 was a significant turning point for McEntire. The grief she experienced was profound, leading her to question her future in music. “Oh I didn’t want to [sing]. I told my little sister Susie… ‘I don’t know if I want to sing anymore,’” she recalled, revealing the depth of her sorrow. Her mother had been her greatest supporter, the one who inspired her to pursue her dreams. “Mama was the one that inspired us kids, taught us kids how to sing, took us to our singing gigs and was our biggest cheerleader,” McEntire shared.
Despite the overwhelming grief, McEntire found the strength to continue her career, leaning on her faith for guidance. “I don’t have any [pre-show] rituals,” she explained. “I don’t have anything that I have to do before I go out except pray. I ask the Holy Spirit to walk for me, talk for me, speak for me and sing for me.” This reliance on her faith has become a cornerstone of her performances, allowing her to connect with her audience on a deeper level.
As McEntire celebrated her 70th birthday, she not only reflected on her past but also looked forward to the future with hope and gratitude. Her dramatic birth story serves as a reminder of the strength and resilience that runs in her family, qualities that have undoubtedly shaped her into the beloved artist she is today. With a career spanning decades and a legacy that continues to inspire, Reba McEntire remains a shining star in the world of country music, proving that age is just a number when it comes to passion and purpose.
Reba McEntire Shares Dramatic Birth Story on 70th Birthday
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 05: Reba McEntire performs onstage during Not That Fancy: An Evening With Reba & Friends at Ryman Auditorium on November 05, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA)
By Gavin Boyle
As she celebrated her 70th birthday, Reba McEntire shared her dramatic birth story and praised her mama for the family she raised.
“The first thing I thought of this morning was I’m so glad Mama feels better today than she did 70 years ago. I’m also glad she kept me,” McEntire wrote on Instagram. “I’m the third of four kids. In March of 1955, Alice was 3 and Pake was almost 2 years old. Being the rowdy mischievous kids they were, they had Mama so tired that when her water broke in the middle of the night, she changed her nightgown and went back to sleep!”
“When the labor pains got more intense, Daddy drove her to the hospital in McAlester. I was breach, so the doctor had to turn me around and get me headed out in the right direction. I was a dry/breach birth with only gas to help Mama get through it. After all that, she kept me. So glad she did…” McEntire continued. “God blessed me with the best family and the best aunts, uncles, and cousins a kid could ever wish for! And what a life He’s given me.”
“Thank you everyone who has wished and sang Happy Birthday to me last night and today,” McEntire added. “I love you with all my heart! You have made my life better, more fun and have enriched my life beyond my wildest imagination. I’m so grateful and thankful to God and my Angels for continuing to guide, direct, protect, and give me my marching orders 🙂 And for putting each of you in my life.”
McEntire has been close with her mom her entire life. When she passed away in 2020, the singer nearly ended her career due to grief. Her mom was her inspiration, and she felt she could no longer sing now that her mom was gone.
“Oh I didn’t want to [sing]. I told my little sister Susie when we were working at the house, I said, ‘I don’t know if I want to sing anymore,’” McEntire recalled. “She said, ‘Why?’ I said, ‘Because I always sang for Mama.’ Mama was the one that inspired us kids, taught us kids how to sing, tok us to our singing gigs and was our biggest cheerleader.
McEntire, however, did not give up singing, and now she relies on the Lord before every performance, asking Him to guide her through her songs.
“I don’t have any [pre-show] rituals,” she said. “I don’t have anything that I have to do before I go out except pray. I ask the Holy Spirit to walk for me, talk for me, speak for me and sing for me. And that always gives me the confidence to take that first step and go have a good time.”
