Age, Career, Songs, Films, Family, Net Worth

George Strait, born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, has become a towering figure in country music, renowned for his traditional sound and excellent track record. Strait was raised on a family farm in Pearsall, Texas, and studied agriculture at Southwest Texas State University before joining the United States Army, where he first demonstrated his musical aptitude in the Army-sponsored band Rambling Country. Following his service, he founded his own band, Ace in the Hole, which received strong local support, opening the path for his long career in country music.

George Strait Biography

George Harvey Strait was born on May 18, 1952, in Poteet, Texas, a small farming village southwest of San Antonio. Strait grew up on a family-owned farm near Pearsall, immersed in a rich Texan culture that influenced his music career.

Growing up in rural Texas, he had a deep affinity for classic country music, which influenced his artistic identity. This connection to his heritage is evident in his songs, which often mirror stories and experiences from ordinary life in Texas.

Strait attended Southwest Texas State University, now Texas State University, where he studied agriculture. His academic route, however, changed when he joined the United States Army. While stationed in Hawaii, he discovered his love of music by performing with an Army-sponsored band called Rambling Country.

This event inspired him to seek a music career. After returning to Texas, he formed his own band, Ace in the Hole, which quickly gained a loyal local following, paving the way for his future ascension in the country music scene.

Career

George Strait’s career as a country music icon began when he secured a solo contract with MCA Records in 1981. His debut album, “Strait Country”, produced the smash single “Unwound”, which displayed his traditional country sound and helped improve radio play for a style that was becoming less widespread in the music industry at the time. Strait soon established himself as a prominent figure in country music, paving the way for other performers who wanted to preserve the genre’s roots.

Throughout the 1980s, Strait released a string of hit albums, including “Strait from the Heart” (1982) and “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” (1984). His steady success, as seen by several No. 1 singles, not only cemented his position as a great country performer but also established a new standard for future generations.

Improving on previous songs, he brilliantly merged sincere storytelling with a traditional sound that struck a chord with listeners across the country, earning him awards such as Country Music Association Entertainer of the Year. Strait’s unrivalled ability to remain true to the essential ideals of country music while achieving financial success has cemented his status as an industry legend.

George Strait is widely regarded as one of the best-selling country performers of all time, with an impressive list of career accomplishments that distinguish him in the music industry. Strait has transformed the country music world, with 60 chart-topping singles and 31 albums certified platinum or multiplatinum.

His debut album, “Strait Country”, released in 1981, reintroduced classic country music into the spotlight, and he rapidly became noted for his original sound. Throughout his career, he has received 83 nominations and 17 wins at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards, including an outstanding three-time Entertainer of the Year title, confirming his ongoing popularity among fans and peers alike.

Songs

Strait Country (1981)
Strait from the Heart (1982)
Right or Wrong (1983)
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind (1984)
Something Special (1985)
Ocean Front Property (1987)
If You Ain’t Lovin’ You Ain’t Livin’ (1988)
Beyond the Blue Neon (1989)
Livin’ It Up (1990)
Chill of an Early Fall (1991)
Holding My Own (1992)
Pure Country (1992)
Easy Come Easy Go (1993)
Lead On (1994)
Blue Clear Sky (1996)
Strait Country (1981)
Strait from the Heart (1982)
Right or Wrong (1983)
Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind (1984)
Something Special (1985)
Ocean Front Property (1987)
If You Ain’t Lovin’ You Ain’t Livin’ (1988)
Beyond the Blue Neon (1989)
Livin’ It Up (1990)
Chill of an Early Fall (1991)
Holding My Own (1992)
Pure Country (1992)
Easy Come Easy Go (1993)
Lead On (1994)
Blue Clear Sky (1996)

Personal Life

George Strait, the iconic country music hero, has created a successful personal life alongside his illustrious career. In December 1971, he eloped in Mexico with his high school girlfriend, Norma Strait. Their love affair has spanned five decades, providing a solid basis for George’s personal and professional life.

Norma has been a loyal partner, frequently supporting his many endeavours in the country music industry. Their closeness has not only grown over the years, but it has also inspired many of his emotional compositions, demonstrating the strength of their relationship.

George and Norma have two children. Their son, George Jr, fondly known as “Bubba”, was born in May 1981 and explored a career as a professional rodeo contestant before discovering his passion for music. He has worked with his father on various songs that celebrate their special family ties.

Tragically, the couple’s daughter, Jenifer, born in October 1972, died in a vehicle accident in 1986, leaving George and Norma devastated. In Jenifer’s memory, the family formed The Jenifer Lynn Strait Foundation to benefit children’s organisations, allowing her legacy to continue via their philanthropic endeavours.

Strait’s long-time friend and business partner, Tom Cusic,k founded the Vaqueros Del Mar (Cowboys of the Sea) Invitational Golf Tournament and Concert, which takes place each year at Strait and Cusick’s Texas Hill Country resort, Tapatio Springs Resort, near Boerne, Texas. The Invitational benefits David Feherty’s Troops First Foundation, which helps wounded servicemen and women, as well as their families.

Since 2012, the events have raised more than $5 million. In January 2018, the Texas Legislative Conference, a statewide coalition of business and political leaders, awarded George Strait the 2018 Texan of the Year. Strait was honoured for his fundraising efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey’s massive flooding.

George Strait Net Worth

George Strait, a prominent personality in country music, has an estimated net worth of $300 million as of August 2024. His financial success originates not just from his huge record sales (over 70 million albums worldwide), but also from numerous tour appearances, clothing sales, and sponsorship partnerships.