In a deeply emotional and unexpected revelation, country music icon Reba McEntire has shared one of the most painful and private chapters of her life — a chapter she has kept hidden from the public for over two decades. In a special televised interview aired last night on CBS Sunday Spotlight, the 70-year-old singer opened up for the first time about losing a child 20 years ago, a story that has left fans across the world in tears.

“It’s something I’ve carried in my heart for a long time,” Reba said, her voice trembling as she sat across from journalist Gayle King. “And I feel like now is the time to speak about it — not for sympathy, but because I know I’m not alone. And maybe, just maybe, someone out there will feel a little less broken today.”

Reba went on to reveal that in the early 2000s, at the height of her career and amidst the success of her hit TV show Reba, she became pregnant — a joyful and unexpected surprise that she and her then-husband Narvel Blackstock kept completely private.

“I was around 50, and we thought we were done raising kids,” she explained, referring to her son Shelby, born in 1990. “But when I found out I was pregnant again, it felt like a miracle — a second chance. We didn’t tell anyone. It was ours to treasure.”

However, just a few months into the pregnancy, Reba suffered a late miscarriage. She described the moment as “the darkest day” of her life, one that she still struggles to talk about.

“I remember the silence in the hospital room,” she said, holding back tears. “It was a little girl. I had already picked out a name. I could feel her kicking just the week before. And then suddenly… she was gone.”

The name Reba had chosen for her unborn daughter? Grace Caroline.

Fans and celebrities alike have been pouring out messages of love and support since the interview aired. Social media was flooded with posts under the hashtag #GraceCaroline, with many sharing their own experiences of loss and grief.

Country star Kelsea Ballerini tweeted:

“Reba’s strength and honesty leave me speechless. So many women carry this pain in silence. Thank you for giving it a voice.”

Even longtime friend Dolly Parton offered a statement, saying:

“Reba is one of the strongest women I know. She’s always been full of love, light, and courage. Sharing something like this is not easy, but it shows the world just how deep her heart really is.”

What makes the revelation even more poignant is that Reba has often spoken about motherhood and family as the center of her life. In her recent memoir Not That Fancy, she alluded to “a private grief,” though she stopped short of revealing the full story — until now.

“Every time I saw a child around the age she would’ve been, I wondered what she’d look like, what she’d love, who she’d grow up to be,” Reba told Gayle King. “I think of her every single day. She’s my angel, my reminder that love can still grow from heartbreak.”

 

 

 

She added that her decision to finally speak out was inspired by the overwhelming support she’s received from fans over the years — fans who have come to see her not just as a performer, but as a human being who’s endured deep loss and still found a way to rise.

“If telling my story helps even one person feel seen, or less alone, then it’s worth it,” Reba said. “There’s no timeline for grief. And there’s no shame in it, either.”

While the loss remains a tender wound, Reba says she’s found healing through music, faith, and her family. In her upcoming album, she hinted that one of the songs — a ballad titled “If I Could Hold You” — was written in honor of Grace Caroline.

“I finally wrote her song,” she smiled softly. “And I’ll sing it for her every night I’m on that stage.”

As the world embraces this newly shared part of Reba’s journey, fans are reminded once again why she’s more than just a music legend. She’s a voice for strength, survival, and the beauty that lives even in the saddest corners of the heart.