Merle Ronald Haggard was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler who was born on April 6, 1937, in Oildale, California, United States.
Haggard was born toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled after the death of his father, and he was incarcerated several times in his youth.
After he was released from San Quentin State Prison in 1960, he managed to turn his life around and launch a successful country music career. He quickly shot into fame with his songs about the working class that occasionally contained themes contrary to anti–Vietnam War sentiment of some popular music of the time.
Merle Haggard won many awards for his music, including a Kennedy Center Honor (2010); a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2006); a BMI Icon Award (2006); and induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1977); Country Music Hall of Fame (1994) and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1997).
Haggard was married five times, first to Leona Hobbs from 1956 to 1964. They had four children: Dana, Marty, Kelli, and Noel. Shortly after divorcing Hobbs, in 1965, he remarried singer Bonnie Owens, the former wife of Buck Owens. Haggard and Owens divorced in 1978 but remained close friends as Owens continued as his backing vocalist until her death in 2006.
Merle Haggard died on his 79th birthday; April 6, 2016, at his ranch in Shasta County, California, after he suffered from double pneumonia.
Merle Haggard net worth
Merle Haggard’s net worth at death in 2016 was $5 million.
Source: www.ghbase.com
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