Let me tell you about a love story that’s lasted more than five decades. George Strait, the king of country music, isn’t just known for singing about love—he’s living it every single day with his wife, Norma Strait. These two have built an incredible life together, filled with laughter, family, and enduring devotion.
George often talks about how Norma was his first love. “Norma was the first girl I ever really cared about,” he once said, recalling their roots in the small town of Pearsall, Texas. They went to high school together and knew each other for years before romance blossomed. According to Wide Open Country, their connection ran deep from the start. “I didn’t think much about her at first, but then one day, I asked her out, and everything changed,” he reminisced.
Now, here's the thing—relationships aren’t always instant magic. For George and Norma, it took time. “We dated for a while, but life got busy, and we ended up drifting apart,” George shared. But as fate would have it, George realized what he was missing. “One day, I woke up and thought, ‘Hey, I’m letting this incredible woman slip away.’ So, I reached out, and we picked up right where we left off.”
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And the rest, as they say, is history. On December 4, 1971, these two lovebirds eloped when they were just 19 years old. Talk about young love! Their family soon followed, with Norma giving birth to their daughter, Jenifer, in October 1972. Almost a decade later, in May 1981, their son George “Bubba” Jr. joined the family.
But no story is without its challenges. In the mid-1980s, tragedy struck when their daughter Jenifer passed away at the age of 13 in a car accident near San Marcos, Texas. It’s a loss no parent should ever have to face, and George and Norma handled it with grace and strength. While they’ve kept much of their grief private, George has spoken about how Norma has been his rock through it all. “Norma has been there for me through the good times and the bad,” he told People in December 2012. “We’ve experienced so much together, and I’m so grateful for her. We still love each other—and we still like each other, a lot!”
Meet Norma Strait: The Heart Behind the Strait Family
Norma Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Pearsall, Texas, the same small town where she met George. Growing up, she lived a typical Texas life, surrounded by friends and family. When George’s career began to take off, Norma stepped into the role of caregiver, managing their home and raising their children while George chased his dreams.
In 2012, George opened up about Norma’s role in their family to People. “She stayed home and took care of everything while Bubba was growing up,” he said. “Once he went off to college, she started traveling with me. It’s been amazing having her on the road—it’s like having my best friend by my side.”
Norma’s Legacy Through the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation
After losing their daughter, the Straits created the Jenifer Strait Memorial Foundation in 1986 to honor her memory. This foundation supports charitable causes for children and donates to organizations like The Boys & Girls Club in San Antonio and St. Jude’s Ranch. The foundation has thrived thanks to private donations and the support of George’s fans over the years. It’s a testament to how much Jenifer meant to her family and the community.
Becoming a Grandma: Norma’s New Chapter
Norma’s journey as a grandmother began in 2012 when her son Bubba and his wife, Tamara Strait, welcomed their first child, George III. A few years later, their second child, Jilliann, came along. George couldn’t have been prouder. “This year, my biggest blessing has been becoming a grandparent,” he told People at the time. “It’s an incredible feeling.”
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Both Bubba and George III have shown an interest in music, following in their father’s footsteps. “Bubba’s really gotten into songwriting and performing, which is amazing to see,” George shared with Cowboys & Indians in December 2022. “We’ve even written some songs together for the next album. As for my grandson, he played drums for a while, and I think he’ll come back to it eventually. Right now, though, he’s all about baseball and hunting. My granddaughter? She’s got a little singing voice that sounds pretty good. Who knows where it’ll go, but I’ll support them no matter what they choose.”
