Starting Over at 65

THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY MUSIC ON WHY SHE WILL NEVER GIVE UP ON LOVE

“I try to follow my heart, to follow my gut, which is what I call God telling me what to do.”

— Reba

On March 28, Reba McEntire will celebrate a big birthday at a concert in Toledo, Ohio. “I haven’t done a tour in a long time,” says Reba, who’s promoting Stronger Than the Truth, her 33rd album. “We thought it was time to get out there and perform for the fans who have been so loyal these past 43 years.”

On the cusp of turning 65, the fiery singer from Oklahoma has lost none of her energy or enthusiasm for life. “I think it’s very important to be of a good mental attitude,” says the newly single star, who remains open to new romance. “She loves companionship and has such a loving heart,” adds a friend.

But Reba is no longer willing to compromise her dreams just to keep a man. Her recent romance with Anthony “Skeeter” Lasuzzo flamed out because “he is retired and likes to live a simple life,” says the friend, and Reba is still eager to work: “Just to be still — that’s the hardest thing in the world for me. I don’t like to be bored.”

THE HEART WON’T LIE

It’s not the first time Reba has bounced back from heartache. “I survived divorce,” Reba says today, adding that she remains grateful for her many blessings. “I’m having more time to spend with my immediate family. Even though [there have been] a lot of lows, I’ve had a great decade.”

And things are only getting better! “I’ve got a lot of irons in my fire,” says Reba, who has live performances scheduled through the end of 2020 as well as a podcast on Spotify and a Reba clothing line at Dillard’s.

Surrounded by supportive friends and loving family, Reba doesn’t feel like she’s missing anything. “She isn’t afraid to be alone because she’s never lonely,” explains the friend, who adds that a new love would only add to Reba’s already happy life, not complete it. “What’s past is past,” Reba says. “And then the future, that’s tomorrow.”