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The country music icon shared the exciting news on the Emmys red carpet, marking a new chapter in her love story.
Reba McEntire is officially engaged! The country music superstar revealed her engagement to longtime partner Rex Linn while walking the red carpet at the 2025 Emmy Awards on Sunday night.
The couple, who have been dating since January 2020, sparked speculation when Linn was introduced as McEntire's fiancé during an E! News interview. McEntire smiled and playfully responded, "We're having the best time on Happy's Place and are thrilled to be here tonight," subtly confirming the news.
Her representative later confirmed to multiple outlets that the pair are indeed engaged.
McEntire, 70, and Linn, 68, first met decades ago while working on the 1980 television movie The Gambler Returns. Though they became friends at the time, their relationship didn't turn romantic until years later, when they reconnected during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In her 2023 memoir Not That Fancy, McEntire shared that the couple spent hours talking on the phone before they were able to meet in person.
"From our very first conversation, we were just ourselves, no pretense, no performance. That honesty built something really special," she wrote. The pair made their red carpet debut later that year and have been inseparable since.
On Sunday, McEntire also participated in a heartfelt tribute honoring the 40th anniversary of The Golden Girls, performing the beloved theme song, Thank You for Being a Friend, alongside members of Little Big Town.
When previously asked about marriage, McEntire admitted she left the decision entirely to Linn. "I've been married twice, so if Rex wanted to, that would be fine with me," she told Page Six in 2023.
McEntire was previously married to Charlie Battles from 1976 to 1987 and Narvel Blackstock, with whom she shares her son Shelby, from 1989 to 2015.
As for what makes their relationship thrive, McEntire has a simple answer: laughter. "He makes me laugh every single day," she said. "That's the best thing about us, we have fun, we like each other, and we love each other."
