Judy Collins Is 'Gorgeous' with Short Gray Hair at 84 After Sons Death, New Spouse Made Her H

Posted by Zora Stowers on Monday, May 20, 2024
  • Judy Collins looks "gorgeous" at 84 as she rocks her new hairstyle.
  • The "Since You Asked" singer lost her only son in a tragic incident, which marked the beginning of her life's "darkest" time.
  • Collins soon started a new chapter of her life with her now-husband, Louis Nelson.

Judy Collins has enjoyed a successful career in the music world. The American singer released her first album, "A Maid of Constant Sorrow," in 1961. Eight years later, she won a Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance for her song, "Both Sides Now."

Back in the day, Collins' fans would watch her perform with her long hair swaying from side to side. Although the star has aged over the years, it didn't stop her from pursuing her passion. Collins continues to perform today, mesmerizing her fans with her beautiful voice. But one thing has changed―her hair.

At 84, the singer rocks a short hairstyle with a few bangs covering her forehead. She looks elegant as ever in her new hairstyle as she smiles at the camera in a recent photo, where a fan commented that she looked "gorgeous as ever." However, her life hasn't always been so pleasant.

Losing Her Son and Dealing with the Loss

The singer-songwriter had faced many problems, but her life turned upside down after her son, Clark, took his own life in 1993. Losing her 33-year-old only child was something that impacted her life significantly. She confessed:

"I was at my darkest after Clark's death and had already started to pull the plug on everything."

Nothing motivated the devastated mother until the comedian, Joan Rivers, shared her struggles with Collins. Rivers could relate to Collins' pain because her husband, Edgar Rosenberg, had ended his life in 1987.

Judy Collins at the 65th Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles, California on February 5, 2023 | Source: Getty Images

Collins was all set to take a break from her singing career after losing Clark, but Rivers convinced her not to. When Collins told her about pausing her career, Rivers said:

"You can't do that because you won't recover unless you keep working."

Having Rivers by her side during the worst time of her life helped Collins cope with her painful loss. Even decades after losing her only child, Collins believes moving on was difficult.

Judy Collins pictured on January 1, 1970 | Source: Getty Images

"I don't know how I got over it, really," she confessed. Instead of saying that she "got over it," Collins prefers the phrase "got through it" because she believes one can't ever get over their child's death.

While talking about her son's untimely demise, Collins confessed her addiction recovery program helped her get through it. She added, "I will never not be there because that's where the recovery is."

Judy Collins on January 1, 1960 | Source: Getty Images

Collins also confessed her son's death "has both ruined my life and probably saved my life." Soon after, she aimed to raise awareness about suicide and mental health. In 2003, she published her book, "Sanity and Grace: A Journey of Suicide, Survival, and Strength," to play her role in preventing people from taking their lives.

Despite going through the worst and losing hope, Collins soon tied the knot with the man she would spend the rest of her life with.

Collins' Secret to a Happy Marriage with Her Second Husband

Although Collins wasn't looking to have a partner when Louis Nelson came into her life, she married him in 1996, and the two have been inseparable since then.

Judy Collins and Louis Nelson on May 23, 1982 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

What makes her marriage happy is spending time with her husband. She revealed that she loves going for walks, watching movies, visiting museums, and meeting friends with Nelson.

"He's just an amazing person," Collins said of Nelson. However, there's one thing that the couple doesn't do together―sleep.

Judy Collins and Louis Nelson on May 9, 2007 in New York City | Source: Getty Images

In an interview, the singer revealed that she doesn't share the same space with Nelson when sleeping. She claimed it was because of the snoring, but it didn't affect their relationship negatively.

Collins confessed her partner's personality was "opposite" to hers because he is an extremely organized person, while she isn't.

Judy Collins and Louis Nelson on April 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada | Source: Getty Images

While talking about his qualities, Collins revealed that he became friends with her ex-husband, Stephen Stills, who she is still friends with. It happened during Collins' 2017-18 tour with her ex.

"Louis and Stephen became best buddies [during the tour], which is the tops," she admitted.

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