Country singer Garth Brooks has faced ups and downs throughout his career. Brooks rose to fame in 1989 with the release of his self-titled debut album. He has since gone on to earn two Grammy Awards, 23 Academy of Country Music Awards, two CMT Awards, 10 CMA Awards and many more.
“It’s always fun [to hear my music on the radio] because immediately what happens is you flash back to those faces in the crowd that are singing it, and you see the joy,” Brooks exclusively told Us Weekly in November 2023. Amid his musical acclaim, Brooks also weathered a number of scandals. He admitted to cheating on his first wife, Sandy Mahl , in 1989 nearly 35 years before an anonymous hairstylist accused him of sexual assault and battery .
(Brooks denied the claims.) Keep scrolling to revisit Brooks’ ups and downs: Brooks married Mahl, and they later welcomed daughters Taylor, August and Allie. Three years later, Brooks dropped his debut album.
Around the same time, he was accused of cheating on Mahl. He admitted to infidelity in a 1993 interview with Barbara Walters . “After I wore out a pair of jeans while I was down on my knees begging her to take me back,” Brooks said, confirming he and Mahl reconciled.
Brooks performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” during the Super Bowl , but he nearly canceled at the last minute. According to former NFL executive Don Weiss ’ book The Making of the Super Bowl: The Inside Story of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event , Brooks had wanted to de.
