She Was a Top Musician in the ’70s Who Endured the Loss of Her Son & Later Her Husband of 46 Years — See Her Now

She lit up the folk scene in the ’60s and ’70s with her beautiful voice and talent, but behind the music was a story of unimaginable heartbreak. Here’s what her journey has looked like — then and now.

Many know her as a defining voice of the 1960s folk revival. But beyond the bright lights of fame, this famous singer endured the collapse of her first marriage, which led to the painful loss of custody of her young son — and years later, she also experienced the unimaginable grief of losing him entirely.

Then came the love of her life, an incredible man who stood by her for nearly five decades before she had to say goodbye once more. And yet, well into her 80s, she remains radiant — still performing, still creating, and still stunning fans.

A Voice Rising Through the Storm

Before this singer’s name was etched into the fabric of American folk music, her roots were grounded in a different tradition. She spent 10 years immersed in classical piano training, a discipline that sharpened her skills and deepened her musical instincts.

But it wasn’t long before her ear and heart were drawn to something rawer — something older. “I fell in love with the very pure English ballads when I was in my teens,” she later recalled.

For her and many of her peers, folk music wasn’t just a genre — it was a near-sacred form. “The thing back then was to get a truly authentic piece of folk music and not muck around with it,” she said.

Fortunately, amid her personal battles, there were also moments of light.

By the early 1960s, the musical icon’s devotion to the craft and her distinct voice were drawing attention. At just 22, she released her debut album “A Maid of Constant Sorrow” in 1961.

It marked the beginning of a slow but certain ascent into fame, placing her among the most distinctive and respected voices in the burgeoning folk revival scene. But behind the music, her life was already shaped by a cascade of private struggles.

She battled alcoholism, a decade-long struggle with bulimia, and even survived a suicide attempt. “I drank hard, I partied hard,” she admitted. However, these issues, once hidden in the shadows, eventually became part of her healing journey. The singer revealed:

“Starting therapy at 23 was essential to me. I had to talk about the alcoholism, and I had to talk about the depression and the suicide attempt.”

She would also go on to recognize and confront her eating disorder. “Princess Diana was the first person that I ever saw in public talking about bulimia,” the legendary musician shared.

“I didn’t talk about it at the time, but I knew all those years that I had a problem. Alcoholism is an illness, and so are eating disorders. There’s been a huge sea change in people’s ability to talk about these ‘taboos,'” she added.

Fortunately, amid her personal battles, there were also moments of light. She found love with Peter Taylor, and together they welcomed a son, the singer’s only child, Clark Taylor. The couple’s relationship, however, didn’t last as they divorced in 1965.

When asked if it was her career that strained the marriage — only 25 at the time — the singer responded, “Perhaps it was his career that ended it. Maybe it would have worked if he had been available to travel with me.”

In the end, her marriage was not only emotionally taxing but deeply painful in other ways. In the divorce, she lost custody of Clark, who was just four and a half years old.

“Getting the marriage untangled was messy and terrible in every way,” the famous singer said. “I can’t imagine ever getting married again. Marriage is no longer a symbol of security for me.” Sadly, more heartache lay ahead for the star.

A Parent’s Nightmare

In 1992, this iconic singer’s son died by suicide at 33. He had struggled with addiction throughout his life — battling alcoholism and drug dependency in waves that would eventually overwhelm him. It was the kind of loss that reshapes a person entirely.

“I really didn’t know if I would make it,” she later admitted. “It’s a terrible thing to contemplate the sadness and the pain that my son must have been in to do such a thing.”

In the aftermath, she stood on the edge of total collapse. At her lowest point, she was prepared to cancel her upcoming performances and step away from the spotlight entirely.

Though her first marriage had once convinced this famous singer that she’d never marry again, life had other plans.

But then came a phone call from Joan Rivers, who knew the devastation of suicide all too well. Joan’s husband, Edgar Rosenberg, passed in the same way just a few years earlier, and she reached out with words that would alter the course of the musician’s grieving process.

“You can’t stop working, because if you stop, you’ll never get out the other side,” Joan told her. It was a lifeline, one that urged her to keep moving, to not let grief swallow everything. Thus, instead of retreating, the singer leaned into her music.

“My singing got me through,” she said. She went on tour, not to escape the pain, but to move through it. In the years since, she has remained open about Clark’s death, using it to help others facing similar heartbreak. Her advice to survivors of suicide:

“Celebrate the time that they had with their lost loved one. I like to keep his memory alive. I like to remember that I will always dream of him, which is a great comfort. And that he will always be in my life. He is part of my life. And my dialogue with him continues.”

A Second Chance at Love – and Another Goodbye

Though her first marriage had once convinced this famous singer that she’d never marry again, life had other plans. In 1978, she crossed paths with Louis Nelson at a fundraiser for the Equal Rights Amendment.

At the time, she wasn’t looking to meet anyone. But fate, as it often does, stepped in anyway. She and Louis would go on to fall in love and live together for 18 years before deciding to marry in 1996, surprising many who assumed they had already tied the knot.

Their long-standing relationship was built on patience, understanding, and deep mutual respect. Still, “We’re very opposite,” the singer admitted.

“He is absolutely organized and needs this pile of papers to be this way, while I can trash a room so fast,” she added with a smile. “But he’s such a steady guy. He had determination. He has persistence. He’s absolutely present, and he’s supportive.”

The loss left her devastated, but also reflective.

Louis, an acclaimed industrial designer, was best known for his work on the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. She described him as a “brilliant, wonderful man” — not just in his work, but in how he loved her.

Their nearly five-decade partnership became one of the most enduring constants in her life, providing a foundation that carried her through the highs and lows of both career and personal pain. The legendary singer shared:

“We had the most wonderful life. We had 46 years together, and that’s very good for an old hippie like me. You know, I had a starter husband a long time ago, and I was married once when I was child. But this marriage was incredible.”

Sadly, in December 2023, Louis died of cancer at 88. The loss left her devastated, but also reflective. At 85, she began channeling her grief into a book of poetry — one that Louis had encouraged her to write.

In doing so, she found a new way to keep their connection alive, much as she had done with Clark. Louis’s unwavering support and the life they built together remained a source of strength as she once again learned to navigate life after loss.

Still Singing, Still Standing

This iconic singer is none other than Judy Collins, who, at 86, is still very much in motion. She’s a grandmother, a touring artist, and a woman who continues to evolve creatively

In 2022, she released “Spellbound,” her 29th studio album and her first composed entirely of original songs. That milestone came after six albums in just six years — a pace many younger musicians would find difficult to keep up with.

“In a way,” she joked, “I’ve had 50 years of practice to get it right.” One of the most personal tracks on “Spellbound” is “Arizona,” which traces back to a pivotal time in her life.

“I was really at a loss,” she said. “I was in the hospital in Tucson and then in Colorado for about five months with tuberculosis.” Around that period, she explained, everything changed as she dropped a bombshell on her first husband. She said of Peter, reflecting with unflinching honesty:

“He was a good guy, I did him wrong. I was having an affair with somebody, and I told him. That’s the mistake!”

Judy further explained that his behavior led to her losing custody of their son. However, the experience, and the solitude that came with it, marked a turning point that shaped the rest of her life.

But Judy’s story is far from over. Today, she is celebrated not only for her music and candor, but for her enduring presence. Fans praised her timeless beauty and vibrant spirit, marveling at how gracefully she’s aged.

“You are so beautiful Judy! ❤️” one netizen commented on an Instagram post the famous singer shared in February. Another fan shared, “You are gorgeous!!!” while a third added, “Beautiful and Amazing Judy.”

Despite everything she’s endured — addiction, heartbreak, and the unimaginable pain of losing both a child and a husband — Judy continues to create, to sing, and to inspire.