Charlie Battles: The Mystery Behind The Death of Reba McEntire’s Husband

Charlie Battles, the American man renowned as Reba McEntire’s first husband, had his beginnings in Oklahoma in 1945, born to Earl and Ocey Battles.

His family, like many, had aspirations of military service in the Army or Air Force.

Profile Summary

Name	Charlie Warner Battles
Date of birth	March 9, 1945
Place of birth	Oklahoma
Belongs	America
Children	Two kids
Spouse	Sherrie, Reba McEntire, and Donna Granger
Profession	Steer Wrestler, cattle rancher
Net worth	$1-$5 million
Date of death	April 21, 2013

Life of Charlie Battles in the US Army

In 1962, after completing his education, Charlie joined the US Army. His training took him to Missouri for about ten months, and unlike regular training soldiers, he wasn’t deployed to Vietnam.

By 1965, Charlie had completed his training and returned to Oklahoma. Later, in Germany, he served as an armor intelligence specialist.

What Did He Do After His Army Training?

After his military service, Charlie pursued a career in steer wrestling. He excelled in rodeo events, winning the championship from 1968 to 1971 and participating in the PRCA National in 1974 as the steer champion.

During this time, he also ventured into cattle ranching and tied the knot with Sherrie in 1998.

Charlie Battles is most recognized for his marriage to Reba McEntire, a country music icon. Their union in 1976 marked the beginning of a tumultuous relationship.

Despite their connection playing a significant role in McEntire’s career, it was not without its ups and downs.

Charlie had two children with Sherrie before meeting Reba in Oklahoma. They started dating and eventually married in 1976 when Reba was just beginning her music career.

She was 21, while Charlie was 31. Charlie’s previous marriage meant that Reba became a stepmother.

As Reba’s music career flourished, Charlie’s initial support turned into jealousy and possessiveness. He controlled their finances, even taking money from her purse.

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Personal life

According to Reba’s autobiography, they were fundamentally different individuals, and their marriage eventually crumbled. They divorced after eleven years.

Charlie Focused His Career

Following their separation, Charlie refocused on his rodeo career and established his own ranch in String Town. He also entered the business world with PRCA Live Stock Rodeo in Texas.

Charlie’s Second Marriage

In 1998, Charlie married Donna Granger, his third wife. They had no children and lived in Sulphur, Louisiana, until his passing in 2013.

His Net Worth

His estimated net worth ranged from $1 to $5 million, stemming from his business endeavors and his connection to Reba McEntire.

Last Days

Charlie’s life took a difficult turn in 2006 when he suffered a heart attack that left him paralyzed. His family cared for him as he battled for seven years. Unfortunately, he succumbed to heart failure in 2013.

Last Words

• Charles Battles was the first husband of actress and singer Reba McEntire. They spent eleven years together but had no children.
• He was a cattle rancher and got three championships for three years in a row.
• He later started his business and his own cattle ranchers.
• He married three times in his whole life and had two sons from his first wife, Sherrie.
• He died in 2013 due to heart failure and left two sons and a wife, Donna Grangers.