Kenny Rogers and Wanda Rogers attend an event in Nashville in 2017.Photo:Terry Wyatt/Getty
Terry Wyatt/Getty
Though the country superstardied in March 2020at age 81, he’d been sick for several years beforehand, which gave him time to think about what he wanted for his family after he passed.
But now, three years after Rogers' death, Wanda has found love once more, something she says has been instrumental in both her and Rogers’ wish that they show theirtwin sons Justin and Jordan, 19, that it’s OK to move on.
Kenny and Wanda Rogers with their sons Justin and Jordan.Courtesy of Wanda Rogers
Courtesy of Wanda Rogers
“One of the big things is to show the boys that life goes on. And it does — I’m dating someone very special,” she says. “Kenny gave me his very best and he wanted me to move on and be happy. That’s a really big man to be able to say those words and mean it. I think it just shows the kind of guy he was.”
“He introduced me to a friend of his and he said, ‘Look, if you don’t date each other, you’ll be friends forever. He is going to be in your friend arsenal forever,'” she recalls. “And we became friends at first.”
That friendship soon grew into more, especially after Wanda took note of all of his traits that reminded her of her late husband, like his “leadership and his positive energy.”
Kenny Rogers and Wanda Rogers on their wedding day in 1997.Courtesy of Wanda Rogers
“It’s funny because a few of my friends said, ‘I just really feel like Kenny’s a part of this somehow.’ And I know that sounds weird,” she says. “[But] he tells our kids, ‘I’m not your dad. No one will ever take the place of your dad, but I’m here as your friend forever.'”
She continues: “It’s been big shoes to step into after I was with this icon for all these years in a very special relationship. But it’s really been an easy relationship.”
As she forges ahead in her new relationship, Wanda is still taking care to keep Rogers’memory and legacy alive. In June, she curated an album culled from the singer’s archivescalledLife Is Like a Song, compiling deeply personal tracks that he recorded between 2008 and 2011.
“I want to make sure his legacy grows and stays alive,” she says. “I think Kenny would be beyond happy and proud of the album. Kenny’s whole thing was he always wanted to say in a song what every man wanted to say and every woman wanted to hear. I think this would fall right into that category.”
For more on Wanda Rogers, pick up the latest issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands everywhere Friday.
source: people.com
