Trace Adkins’ Wife Files For Divorce

Rhonda Adkins, wife of deep-voiced country music star and Celebrity Apprentice winner Trace Adkins, has filed for divorce after nearly 17 years of marriage. Rhonda Adkins filed the divorce paperwork in Tennessee, and cited the ever popular irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce. According to the filing, the couple separated on Monday, March 24. Rhonda Adkins requested primary custody of the couples three daughters, MacKenzie, age 16, Brianna, age 12, and Trinity, age 9. She further requested that Adkins pay child support, alimony, legal fees, and that Adkins maintain health insurance for herself and her daughters. In the ‘what is that about?’ category, she also requested to be maintained as the sole beneficiary of Trace’s considerable life insurance policy.

Trace Adkins has had a difficult time of late. In January of 2014, Trace was aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line Country Music cruise as the headline act. He was involved in a drunken brawl with a Trace Adkins impersonator who was on board the ship. Adkins apparently became enraged when he heard the impersonator performing one of his songs in the ship’s Karaoke bar. Adkins left the Norwegian Pearl when it docked in Jamaica, and checked into rehab.

Adkins had struggled with alcohol addiction, but had reportedly been sober for 12 years prior to the relapse in January. Adkin’s was last in rehab for his alcohol issues in 2002. During this latest stint in rehab, Adkins received word that his father Aaron, 71, was gravely ill. Adkins left rehab in Florida, and flew to Louisiana to be by his father’s side. Aaron Adkins passed away a few days later; the cause of death and funeral arrangements were never made public While condolences poured in to Trace Adkins Facebook page, it was Rhonda Adkin’s who took to Twitter to thank Trace’s fans:

Thank you for all of your love, prayers and support. Sometimes we don’t know where our journey will take us but I know he has a plan.

While Adkins has had a rough time privately, his professional life has been an upside. His Christmas album The King’s Gift was well received by fans and critics, as was Love Will…, his last release. Love Will… was a bit of a departure for Adkins who was known mostly for catchy hits such as Honkytonk Badonkadonk and Hillbilly Bone that were fun with no substance, Love Will... displayed a more serious side of Trace Adkins.

There has been no official comment from Trace or Rhonda Adkins on the divorce filing.

[Image courtesy billboard.com]