Just how amazing was Loretta Lynn’s life? The country legend died on Oct. 4, 2022, leaving behind dozens of albums and hundreds of great country songs. Here are 10 other notable achievements and facts about the “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
10. Loretta Lynn Was 34 Years Old When She “Made It”
Since the mid ’80s, a list of women who were 34 years old or older when they had their first hit country song includes Lee Ann Womack (34), Jamie O’Neal (35), Judy Rodman (35) and K.T. Oslin (45). It hasn’t been done in more than 20 years.
9. Loretta Lynn Had Four Kids Before Releasing Her First Country Single
In 2022, it’s rare for a woman with any kids to have commercial success. Lee Ann Womack and Gretchen Wilson are two contemporary artists to notch their first hit after having a baby, and the list grows short and old after that. Lynn had four of her six children before “I’m a Honky Tonk Girl” was released in 1960. One of them was a pre-teen.
By the time Lynn notched her first No. 1 hit, she was already a grandmother.
8. How Old Was Loretta Lynn?
According to records, Lynn was born in 1932, but for years she let the public believe she was three years younger. Her marriage at age 13 is at the heart of the Coal Miner’s Daughter movie, but she was closer to 16 when she married O.V. “Doolittle” Lynn on Jan. 10, 1948. This all came to light in 2012, and since then everyone has used her accurate age.
7. Speaking of Her Husband, Doo …
The couple was married for almost 50 years when he died in 1996. She’s been honest about his alcoholism, and that he frequently cheated on her. Their fights would turn physical, but Lynn insisted he never hit her once without getting hit twice.
6. First Woman to Win CMA Entertainer of the Year
Five CMA Entertainer of the Year awards were given out before Loretta Lynn won in 1972. Not only was Loretta Lynn the first woman to win this prestigious award, she was the first to be nominated (1971).
5. Only Three Women Notched More No. 1 Hits
Loretta Lynn’s 16 No. 1 hits trail only Tammy Wynette (20), Reba McEntire (24) and Dolly Parton (25) on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
4. She Buried Two of Her Six Kids + One Grandchild
Loretta Lynn’s oldest child, Betty Sue, died of emphysema in 2013. Her first son, Jack, drowned in 1984, and three decades later, his son (Loretta’s grandson) would die at age 47.
3. Loretta Lynn Was the First to Go Gold
Loretta Lynn’s Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind) album was the first from a country female to be RIAA certified Gold, meaning it sold more than 500,000 copies.
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2. She’s the Most-Awarded Woman in Country Music History
We count three Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 13 ACMs, eight CMAs and dozens more. PBS also points out that she’s in more music Halls of Fame than any other female singer.
1. Not All of Her Edgy Songs Hit
While “The Pill,” “Rated X” and “Fist City” were controversial songs that became a part of the fabric of country music in the years that followed them, some of her wilder tries flopped. “Shadrack the Black Reindeer” was released in 1974 and even earned praised from media outlets. The song centers on a black reindeer named Shadrack who is much faster than all of the other reindeer. In fact, he’s so fast that Santa has time to make his trip twice! A writer named Zero Jones penned this song. You’re not likely to hear this one on the radio this Christmas.
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