In the latest docuseries, "Willie Nelson & Family," airing exclusively on Paramount+, renowned musician Willie Nelson bravely delves into his battles with mental health and substance abuse.
Taking a different path from his usual open and honest approach, the 90-year-old "On the Road Again" singer sheds light on a period in his life when he found himself locked in a relentless struggle with his former wife, Martha Jewel Matthews.
Willie's Candid Confession
"I would get drunk every night and go home with someone different every night," the award-winning singer-songwriter told the cameras. "[I was] slowly self-destructing. I didn't care."
"Back in my drinking days, I tried to commit suicide a couple of times," Willie shared. "One time in the dead of winter, I was so down on myself that I laid down in the middle of the street, hoping a car would run over me. No such luck. I had to get up off my a-- and kept on trying to figure out how to make a living."
In a different segment from the collection, his memories took him back to the year 1952 when he first crossed paths with Matthews, a young woman of sixteen, during her employment at a local diner.
Being only nineteen years old at the time, he found himself captivated by her undeniable allure and her Cherokee heritage.
Nelson disclosed that his bond with Matthews had intensified initially, yet his mother vehemently opposed their marriage due to their youth. As a result, they chose to elope.
Nevertheless, from 1952 to 1962, their partnership had its fair share of challenges, far from being purely idyllic.
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"We had a lot of fun together, but we fought, and we both were drinking a lot in those days," Willie went on to say. "One morning, we got in this argument, and she picked up this fork and threw it across the table, and it stuck in my side. It sounded like a tuning fork."
Martha Matthews and Willie Nelson were blessed with three beautiful children named Billy, Susie, and Lana in their union. Sadly, their path diverged in 1962 through the dissolution of their marriage, and eventually, in 1989, Matthews succumbed to liver failure.
Sharing a deep admiration for his father, Lukas, the second youngest son of the renowned musician behind the hit "Always on My Mind," draws inspiration from Willie Nelson's profound resilience in the face of various challenges throughout his life.
Lukas eloquently remarked that his father's remarkable ability to overcome homelessness, the heartbreaking loss of a child, the devastating event of having his house burnt down, multiple failed marriages, financial struggles, and even battles with the IRS serve as a constant source of motivation for him.
