Even after their divorce, George Jones and Tammy Wynette remained etched in the hearts of their fans as "Mr. and Mrs. Country Music." Their love story, a rollercoaster of highs and lows, became the stuff of legends, captivating fans with reunion tours and chart-topping hits like "We’re Gonna Hold On." But here's the thing—what if the story we’ve all been told isn’t entirely accurate? Let’s dive into the real story behind this iconic country duo.

Author and podcaster Tyler Mahan Coe takes a deep dive into the truth in his book, Cocaine & Rhinestones: A History of George Jones and Tammy Wynette. “There’s so much that needs to be corrected to truly understand their lives,” Coe tells Closer. “And once we clear up those misconceptions, we uncover a lot about the world they lived in and the music they created.”

George and Tammy fell head over heels for each other while touring in 1969, but according to Coe, the fairy tale didn’t last long. “They rushed into things based on their own fantasies about each other,” he explains. “It didn’t take long for them to realize the stark differences between fantasy and reality. But by that point, they’d already started selling their relationship to fans and the media, making it harder for them to walk away.”

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Truth be told, George and Tammy weren’t exactly a perfect match. George, who was 11 years older, preferred staying in and watching TV, while Tammy thrived in social settings. “Tammy might’ve been bored with George’s reality from the very beginning,” Coe suggests. “They were just fundamentally different people.”

On top of that, their relationship was heavily influenced by their addictions. “Tammy was already taking speed and being prescribed strong painkillers,” Coe reveals. “One of Tammy’s doctors even prescribed amphetamines to George to help him lose weight. So, here’s George, taking amphetamines and drinking at the same time, which only made things worse.” The couple divorced in 1975 after six years of marriage and one child, their daughter Georgette Jones.

George Jones and Tammy Wynette ‘Rushed Into Things’ (Exclusive) — Brian Rasic/Getty Images

Reuniting for "Two Story House": The Business Behind the Music

In 1980, George and Tammy reunited to record the album Together Again, which featured the hit "Two Story House." This collaboration wasn’t just about rekindling old flames—it was also about reviving Tammy’s fading career. “There was a clear understanding that if the audience believed George and Tammy still had feelings for each other, it would help their narrative,” Coe explains. “This theme stuck with them for the rest of their lives and careers.”

Behind the scenes, Tammy’s last husband and manager, George Richey, was calling the shots. George felt pressured to work with Tammy because he believed it would affect his visitation rights with their daughter, Georgette. “Performing with Tammy was a constant reminder for George of how he was being manipulated and how he wasn’t in control of his own life,” Coe adds.

The Impact of Tammy’s Death on George

Tammy’s sudden death in 1998 at the age of 55 was both a liberation and a heartbreak for George. While their love may not have been as everlasting as people believed, it left an indelible mark on both their lives. “After Tammy’s memorial, George got on a tour bus with his wife Nancy and had the driver take him all over Nashville,” Coe recalls. “He just sat silently in the back for hours, lost in his thoughts.”