When you look at the landscape of country music, you see a lot of flash-in-the-pan romances. It’s basically a cliché at this point. But if you’re asking who is Marty Stuart married to, you’re stumbling into one of the most improbable and enduring love stories in Nashville history.
Honestly, the answer is country legend Connie Smith.
They’ve been married since 1997. But the story didn't start there. It didn't even start in the nineties. To really get it, you have to go back to 1970, to a hot day at the Choctaw Indian Fair in Philadelphia, Mississippi. Marty was 12. He was a mandolin prodigy, a kid who looked like he belonged in The Addams Family but played like a seasoned pro. His mom, Hilda, took him to see her favorite singer. That singer was Connie Smith.
Marty got his picture taken with her that day. He got her autograph. As they were driving home, he told his mom, "I’m going to marry her one day."
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Most moms would’ve just patted him on the head. It sounded like a kid’s crush on a beautiful star. Connie was 17 years his senior and already a massive star with hits like "Once a Day." But Marty Stuart isn't most people. He spent the next few decades becoming a legend himself, playing with Lester Flatt and Johnny Cash, all while that prediction sat in the back of his mind.
Who Is Marty Stuart Married To? The 25-Year Long Game
The math on their relationship is kinda wild. When they finally tied the knot on July 8, 1997, at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, it was exactly 27 years after that first meeting at the fair. Talk about playing the long game.
People often get hung up on the age gap. Yeah, she’s 17 years older. In the cynical world of celebrity gossip, that’s usually a red flag. But in the Nashville community, they are seen as the gold standard. They aren't just a couple; they're a musical powerhouse.
Before Connie, Marty was married to Cindy Cash, the daughter of the "Man in Black" himself. That marriage lasted from 1983 to 1988. It makes sense, right? Marty was in Johnny’s band, they were close, it was almost like marrying into royalty. But it wasn't the "forever" kind of thing.
The connection with Connie was different. It was built on a shared, almost religious devotion to the "old" country music—the rhinestones, the steel guitars, the integrity of the sound. When they started working together in the 90s, Marty helped produce her self-titled comeback album. They started writing songs together. They wrote about 40 or 50 of them, actually.
Somewhere between the songwriting sessions and the studio hours, the childhood crush turned into a real-deal partnership.
Why Their Marriage Defies the Nashville Norm
You’ve probably noticed that many celebrity couples can’t handle the pressure of two separate careers. Marty and Connie handled it by basically merging their worlds while keeping their identities. Connie became a staple on The Marty Stuart Show, appearing in her signature colorful outfits and reminding everyone why she’s in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
They live in a house in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It happens to be the house Marty bought next door to Johnny and June Carter Cash.
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What’s the secret? Connie has said it’s about making "the Lord the center" and just committing. Marty’s advice is a bit more practical: "Leave the star s--t at the gate." He’s big on turning off the gadgets. No phones, no TV, just talking. In 2026, where everyone is glued to a screen, that sounds like a revolutionary act.
It hasn't all been easy. Just recently, in late 2025, they had to cancel a massive milestone celebration at the Grand Ole Opry because COVID hit their household. It was supposed to be Connie’s 60th anniversary as an Opry member. Even the legends aren't immune to the "unwelcome presence" of a virus, as Marty put it. But they deal with it together, which is sort of the point.
The Musical Legacy of Stuart and Smith
If you listen to their collaborations, like "I Run To You" or "Blue Heartaches," you can hear the chemistry. It’s not just two people singing; it’s two people who understand the mechanics of a heart.
- The 1998 Comeback: Marty produced Connie's first studio album in 20 years.
- The Songwriting: They’ve co-written dozens of tracks that keep the traditional country flame alive.
- The Opry Bond: Both are members, and they often share that stage, representing a bridge between the genre's past and its future.
It's funny to think about that 12-year-old kid in Mississippi. He saw a woman on a record cover called Miss Smith Goes to Nashville and decided his entire future. Most people’s childhood dreams involve being an astronaut or a pro athlete. Marty’s dream was just Connie.
He didn't just want to be a star; he wanted to be her husband.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans of the Couple
If you’re looking to dive deeper into their world, don’t just read the headlines. Here is how you can actually experience what makes them work:
- Listen to the 1998 Album: Find the self-titled Connie Smith album produced by Marty. It’s the sonic blueprint of their relationship.
- Watch 'The Marty Stuart Show': Look for the episodes where Connie performs. The way he looks at her from the side of the stage tells you more than any interview ever could.
- Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame: Both have their place there. Seeing their contributions side-by-side puts the "power couple" label into perspective.
- Check the Opry Schedule: They still perform, and seeing them live is the only way to truly feel the "power" Marty talked about when he first heard her voice.
Ultimately, Marty Stuart is married to the woman he said he would marry when he was just a kid. It’s a story of persistence, shared values, and a lot of steel guitar. In a world that changes every five seconds, they’ve managed to stay exactly who they are, together.
To see their latest updates or check for rescheduled tour dates following their 2025 health hiatus, you can visit Marty Stuart’s official website or the Grand Ole Opry’s digital calendar.