It Wasn’t Just Love, It Was a Secret Promise—Reba McEntire and Rex Linn’s Hidden Engagement Shocks Fans. ML
A Christmas Surprise and a Love That Lasts: Reba McEntire Opens Up About Her Engagement to Rex Linn
For Reba McEntire, love bloomed quietly — not with flash or fanfare, but with laughter, friendship, and the kind of joy that grows stronger with time.
When Reba and her longtime partner Rex Linn stepped onto the Primetime Emmy Awards red carpet on September 14, 2025, fans admired their effortless chemistry. The country legend was there to perform a heartwarming Golden Girls tribute with Karen Fairchild and Kimberly Schlapman, celebrating 40 years of the beloved sitcom.
But the real surprise came offstage. During an interview with E!’s Zuri Hall, the reporter introduced them as “Reba McEntire and her fiancé, Rex Linn.”
The crowd buzzed. Reba smiled, Rex grinned — and just like that, their engagement became public.
As it turns out, they’d been keeping the secret for months. In her People magazine cover story, Reba revealed that Rex proposed on Christmas Eve 2024 in the cozy town of Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee, shortly before their fifth anniversary.
“It was a total surprise,” she said. “Very romantic — very Rex.”
The couple intended to share the happy news in early 2025, but tragedy struck when California was hit by devastating wildfires. “We didn’t feel it was the right time,” Reba explained. “And then, life just kept moving — until it came out naturally at the Emmys.”
Their engagement follows five years of deep companionship, laughter, and creative partnership — both on-screen and off. The pair star together in NBC’s Happy’s Place, where fans will see more of their playful chemistry in the upcoming second season.
At 70, McEntire says she’s living with more joy and peace than ever before. “I think I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my life,” she told People. “It’s wonderful being 70 and getting to do what I love, with the person I love.”
Her secret? “Quit living for tomorrow and for yesterday,” she said with a smile. “Enjoy where you are, right now.”
No wedding date has been set, but Reba insists that’s perfectly fine. “We’re just loving this season,” she said.
For fans who’ve followed her journey through heartbreak, resilience, and rebirth, this chapter feels like the happy ending she’s always deserved — or, perhaps, the beautiful beginning of something brand new.
