Garth Brooks Rises To The Occasion As Trisha Yearwood Battles COVID-19

In late February, Garth Brooks faced one of the scariest moments of his life when his beloved wife of 15 years, Trisha Yearwood, tested positive for COVID-19. Unlike their daughter Allie, who experienced only mild symptoms earlier in July, Trisha's case was far more serious. A close friend of the country music power couple revealed to Closer Weekly, available on newsstands now, just how tough things got for Trisha. “She was having chills, high fever, low energy, and muscle aches,” the source shared. Despite testing negative himself, Garth didn’t hesitate for a second to step up and become Trisha’s full-time caregiver. “Anyone who knows me knows my world begins and ends with Miss Yearwood,” Garth said passionately. “So she and I will ride through this together.”

Love in Action: Garth’s Devotion Shines Through

It’s no secret that Garth, now 59, would drop everything to take care of Trisha, who is 56. The couple has been deeply in love ever since they got together in the early 2000s. Trisha once said, “We’re always choosing each other,” and their careers reflect that commitment as they often tour together. So when Trisha fell ill, Garth was understandably concerned about her recovery and how the virus might affect her singing voice. “Living with her, I sometimes take it for granted that she’s one of the greatest voices in all of music,” Garth admitted. “So the possible long-term effects on her voice concern me as her husband and as a fan.”

Garth Goes Above and Beyond for Trisha

Seeing the virus take its toll on the woman he loves must have been terrifying, but Garth didn’t let fear take over. Instead, he took charge. “His nursing duties have really kicked in,” the friend explained. “He’s stepped up the foot and neck massages. He’s even made her bone-broth soup from scratch!” It’s quite the transformation for a man whose eldest daughter, Taylor, 29, once joked that her dad “couldn’t cook to save his life” before marrying Trisha, who has hosted Trisha’s Southern Kitchen on the Food Network since 2012.

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A Love Story Built on Commitment

Garth and Trisha first met back in 1987, but it wasn’t until after his 2001 divorce from Sandy Mahl, with whom he has three daughters, that their relationship blossomed. (Trisha herself is twice divorced.) Garth often refers to Trisha as “the Queen,” and the two have collaborated on numerous duets. “I just want to be wherever she’s at,” he says tenderly. “I love breathing the same air she’s breathing.”

Unwavering Support Through Tough Times

Their devotion to each other has remained unwavering, especially over the past year. While Garth admits that the stress brought on by the pandemic has been “the most we’ve gone through as a couple,” it’s also brought them closer together. As they hunkered down in Nashville, offering occasional virtual mini-concerts from their home studio, their bond grew stronger. Fortunately, their friend tells Closer, “I don’t think Trisha has any major underlying health issues that concern her doctors,” so she should expect a full recovery. Garth’s homemade bone broth may even be helping. “Officially, she’s diagnosed as ‘on her way out of the tunnel,’ which I’m extremely thankful for,” he says. Together, they remain optimistic about the future despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. As Garth puts it, “What’s on the other side is so great, especially when you’re with the right one.”

—Lisa Chambers, with reporting by Rick Egusquiza

For more on this heartwarming story, pick up the latest issue of Closer magazine, on newsstands now.