Inside Kris Kristofferson's 41-Year Love Story with Wife Lisa: 'This Is What Really Matters'

When it comes to love, the third time was the charm for Kris Kristofferson.

The late actor and country legend lived happily with his wife Lisa Meyers, to whom he was married for 41 years before his death on September 28 at the age of 88.

“I feel nothing but gratitude that I’m this old and still above ground, living with people I love,” he told NPR in 2013. “I have eight kids and a wife who puts up with everything I do, and continues to get me out of trouble.”

Kristofferson was fresh out of his second marriage, to singer Rita Coolidge, when he first met Meyers – then a law student at Pepperdine University – in 1982 at a gym in Malibu.

Kris Kristofferson, A star is born Actor and country legend, died at 88

Kris Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers at the screening of “Cover Up – Behind the Iran-Contra Affair” on June 24, 1988 in Hollywood, California.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

In a move that is A star is born the actor later admitted it was a “trick” to talk to Meyers, asked to borrow some of the equipment, and the rest is history. The couple married in February 1983 and went on to have children Jesse, 40, Jody, 39, Johnny, 36, Kelly, 34, and Blake, 30.

“At the time, I was afraid of anything more serious than a one-night stand. The road was my escape, my exit, and all of that translated into performances,” Kristofferson told PEOPLE in 1998 about meeting Meyers. “[But] as my family began to grow, it finally dawned on me: ‘Wake up, man. That’s what really matters.’ ”

The couple raised their children in Hawaii — and Kristofferson told PEOPLE in the same interview that moving to the islands and starting a family with Meyers was “the best move I ever made.”

Kris Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers at the “Planet of the Apes” premiere on July 23, 2001 in New York City.

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection/Getty

They found a peaceful life in Hawaii, and in the 2015 interview Las Vegas Magazinethe Grammy winner said his daily routine includes “walking with my wife.”

As Kristofferson’s health deteriorated over the years (he was diagnosed with Lyme disease after previously being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s and fibromyalgia), Meyers remained his biggest supporter — and became his fiercest advocate.

“We understand Kris’s spatial awareness deficits and short-term memory loss, and we laugh about it all the time,” she told HuffPost in 2016. “The more we can make Kris laugh, the healthier he is. Being on the road, laughter, music. It’s great medicine.”

Lisa Meyers and Kris Kristofferson at the New York Gala in 2013.

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Who is Kris Kristofferson’s wife? All about Lisa Meyers

Kristofferson was at home in Maui when he died “peacefully,” surrounded by his family, a rep for the star said. He is survived by Meyers, their children and his three children from previous marriages: Tracy (62), Kris Jr. (56) and Casey (50).

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 28 at home,” the family said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “We are all so Blessed for our time with him, thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see the rainbow, know that he is smiling on us all.”

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Source: HIS Education