4 Wives, 5 Daughters, And A Bullet To The Heart: The Shocking True Story Of Trace Adkins’ Near-Fatal Shooting

Contents

The story of country music legend Trace Adkins is marked by a series of near-fatal accidents and personal battles, but none are quite as shocking as the night his own wife shot him. This unbelievable incident, which occurred on February 21, 1994, nearly ended the singer’s life before his career even hit its peak, leaving him with a bullet wound that went through both lungs and his heart. While the event is decades old, the details continue to resurface, offering a stark look into the chaotic personal life of the star.

As of December 12, 2025, Adkins remains a prominent figure in country music, but his survival from the 1994 shooting is a testament to his resilience. The woman responsible was his second wife, Julie Curtis, and the confrontation stemmed from a heated argument over his severe struggle with alcoholism. Trace Adkins has since openly discussed the trauma, the long road to recovery, and his eventual sobriety, cementing this dark chapter as a defining moment in his life.

Trace Adkins: A Complete Biographical Profile

Tracy Darrell Adkins, known professionally as Trace Adkins, has built a career on his unmistakable baritone voice and commanding stage presence. However, his personal life has been as dramatic and tumultuous as any country ballad he's ever sung. Born in Sarepta, Louisiana, on January 13, 1962, Adkins’ journey to stardom was anything but smooth, marked by various manual labor jobs, serious accidents, and a constant battle with addiction.

Key Biographical Facts:

  • Full Name: Tracy Darrell Adkins
  • Date of Birth: January 13, 1962
  • Hometown: Sarepta, Louisiana
  • Occupation: Country Music Singer, Songwriter, and Actor
  • Career Debut: 1996 (with the album Dreamin' Out Loud)
  • Notable Hits: "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk," "You're Gonna Miss This," "Every Light in the House"

Trace Adkins' Four Marriages and Five Daughters:

Adkins has been married four times, a history that forms the backdrop for his most serious personal crisis. The country star is a proud father to five daughters from his first and third marriages.

  • First Wife: Barbara Lewis (Married: 1980s, Divorced: Unknown): The couple had two daughters, Tarah and Sarah.
  • Second Wife: Julie Curtis (Married: 1991, Divorced: 1994): This was the wife involved in the shooting incident. They did not have children together.
  • Third Wife: Rhonda Forlaw (Married: 1997, Divorced: 2015): Rhonda was a former publicist. They had three daughters: Mackenzie, Brianna, and Trinity. This marriage lasted 17 years and ended in divorce after Adkins filed in 2014.
  • Fourth Wife: Victoria Pratt (Married: 2019): Adkins is currently married to Canadian actress Victoria Pratt. They met on the set of the film The Virginian in 2013 and were married in New Orleans in 2019, with Blake Shelton officiating the ceremony.

The Night Julie Curtis Shot Trace Adkins Through the Heart

The incident that became a legendary, yet dark, part of Trace Adkins’ history occurred on February 21, 1994, while he was married to his second wife, Julie Curtis. The couple was living in a home in Tennessee when a heated argument escalated dramatically.

The Confrontation and the .38 Caliber Pistol

The core issue fueling the argument was Adkins’ severe and escalating problem with alcohol abuse. His drinking had strained their relationship to a breaking point. During the fight, Julie Curtis retrieved a .38 caliber pistol. The details of the moment are harrowing: she pointed the gun at him, and it discharged.

The bullet’s trajectory was devastating. It passed through Trace Adkins' chest, piercing both of his lungs and his heart before exiting his body. Adkins, in a state of shock and adrenaline, reportedly drove himself to the hospital, though this detail has been debated, with some accounts suggesting he was rushed by others. Regardless, his condition was critical, and he was immediately taken into surgery.

The Miracle of Survival

The fact that Trace Adkins survived the shooting is often referred to as a miracle. The wound was severe enough to be fatal, yet surgeons were able to save his life. He spent four days in the hospital recovering from the trauma. Surprisingly, Adkins never pressed charges against Julie Curtis for the shooting. This decision speaks volumes about the complexity of their relationship and the role his own struggles with alcoholism played in the event.

The marriage to Julie Curtis ended shortly after the incident in 1994, marking the end of one of the most tumultuous periods in the country star’s life.

The Aftermath: Recovery, Sobriety, and Finding Lasting Love

The near-death experience of being shot in the heart served as a jarring wake-up call for Trace Adkins, but his battle with addiction was far from over. The incident became a powerful, albeit negative, catalyst for change in the years that followed.

The Ongoing Battle with Alcoholism

Despite the life-threatening wound, Adkins continued to struggle with alcoholism for many years. He has been open about his relapses, including a high-profile incident in 2014 where he checked himself into a treatment facility after an incident on a country cruise. His candid discussions about his addiction have made him a relatable figure to many fans dealing with similar issues, highlighting the long-term nature of recovery.

Adkins has described his life as a series of near-fatal accidents, including a severe oil rig accident that crushed his leg, the shooting, and various other close calls. These experiences have given him a unique perspective on life and survival, which often permeates his music and public persona.

A New Chapter with Victoria Pratt

After his divorce from Rhonda Forlaw in 2015, Adkins found stability and happiness with actress Victoria Pratt. Their relationship began after meeting on a movie set, and they married in 2019. This fourth marriage appears to have ushered in a new, calmer chapter for the star, who now balances his career with a settled family life.

Victoria Pratt is an accomplished Canadian actress and author. Their relationship is a key part of the modern Trace Adkins narrative, demonstrating that even after surviving a gunshot wound from a previous spouse and battling addiction for decades, it is possible to find peace and lasting partnership. The couple often shares glimpses of their life together, which is a stark contrast to the dramatic events of 1994.

Trace Adkins’ Legacy of Resilience

The story of Trace Adkins being shot by his wife is more than just a sensational headline; it is a critical piece of his personal journey. It highlights his struggle with substance abuse, the volatility of his early life, and his incredible physical and emotional resilience. He transformed a near-fatal personal tragedy into a source of strength, using his experiences to connect with fans and inform his powerful, real-life storytelling through music.

The incident remains a powerful reminder of the hidden turmoil that can exist behind the scenes of a celebrity's life, and Adkins’ ability to not only survive but thrive afterward is a significant part of his enduring legacy in country music. The star continues to tour and release new music, proving that his career is far from over, despite the many twists and turns his life has taken.

trace adkins wife shoots him
trace adkins wife shoots him

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