Kenny Rogers Was ‘Thrilled’ to Welcome Twins — ‘Handsome’ Boys, Now 19, Still Heed Late Dad’s Advice

Kenny Rogers thought he was done having kids at a late stage in his life, especially after being married several times and having adult children by then. However, the music star changed his mind and welcomed twin boys with his fifth wife.

Kenny’s first spouse was Janice Gordon, to whom he was married from 1958 until 1960. The pair had a daughter together, Carole Rogers, the same year they wed in September.

Kenny tied the knot for the second time with Jean Rogers in 1960. However, their union ended three years later in 1963. That same year, the Hall of Famer married his third wife, Margo Anderson, with whom he welcomed a son, Kenny Jr. The duo divorced in 1975.

This time, the singer waited two years to marry his fourth wife, Marianne Gordon, in 1977. The couple welcomed one child together, Christopher Rogers, and divorced in 1993. Kenny tried his luck at love again when he wed his fifth wife, Wanda Miller, four years later in 1997. Unlike his previous unions, this one became one of his longest.

Kenny on Having Twins

After having kids in his past marriages, Kenny revealed in a June 2006 interview that he told Wanda he did not want to be a father again. According to him, she was also on the same page.

Still, Kenny had concerns and was worried that Wanda, who had not welcomed any kids by then, may have second thoughts about having children once she hit 30 and her biological clock started to tick. But Wanda was adamant that she did not want to be a mom either way.

However, when she turned 31, Wanda asked Kenny if they could try to have a child. Kenny shared that he did some self-introspection and realized that it would be selfish of him to rob her of the chance to become a mother.

He did not want her to wake up one day as a widowed 50-year-old woman filled with regret because she missed her chance of becoming a parent by marrying him. Thus, Kenny revealed:

“So we went for it, and when I was told it was twins, man, I was thrilled. So was Wanda.”

The couple welcomed their twin boys, Justin and Jordan Rogers, in July 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia. Kenny was 66 years old when his youngest kids were born. When his sons were nine, the songwriter divulged in a June 2014 interview how he kept up with them, admitting:

“They say having kids at my age either makes you or breaks you, and right now, I’m leaning heavily toward break. But it’s such a gift. It is truly such a gift.”

As an older parent, Kenny worried daily about not being around for his sons by the time they turned 21, which was why he did not want to have any more children in the first place.

It broke his heart that he would not live long enough to see them celebrate their milestones in life, such as going to college. Still, Kenny considered himself a good father and believed he was “best” at being one, although it took a few tries to be at that point in his life.

Even though his lifespan was a cause for concern on his part, the “The Gambler” hitmaker prioritized spending time with Justin and Jordan – something he did not get to do with his older kids as he was often away on tour.

But at age 77, he consciously decided to be more present for his young sons, then 11, by touring for one last time. Kenny, who launched his singing career when he was still in high school, bid farewell to his fans on a tour titled “Gambler’s Last Deal” in 2016.

Asked if he would miss touring, he explained that he needed to spend time with Justin and Jordan. “I have two older boys. I didn’t spend this time with them, and I regret it,” he added.

Asked how he intended to spend his time with his family, Kenny revealed his plans to travel with them to places such as Shanghai, other Asian countries, and Europe. Kenny wanted his children to look back one day and say that he took them places.

Kenny’s Grown-Up Sons after His Death

Justin and Jordan turned 19 in July 2023. Their beloved mother, who often shares their photos on her Instagram account, paid them a tribute alongside a photo of the pair posing with two cakes. “Happy 19th Jordan and Justin! I love you!!” Wanda wrote.

The mother of two’s followers commented on the post, gushing about her sons. “Soooo handsome! And what incredible young man [sic]. Happy birthday to you guys!!” penned one online user.

Another wrote, “Wishing your beautiful boys the happiest of birthdays,” and someone added, “Have a great day, gorgeous boys. Enjoy and have a great celebration.”

The twins graduated from high school in June 2023. Their famous father’s team celebrated their milestone on Instagram, sharing a photo of the duo in graduation gowns. “Way to go, guys!” the message read.

Sadly, Justin and Jordan’s beloved dad did not live long enough to witness their graduation. The family announced Kenny’s death in March 2020 at age 81. “Rogers passed away peacefully at home from natural causes under the care of hospice and surrounded by his family,” they wrote at the time.

Justin and Jordan were only 16 when their dad died. They remembered their loving parent in a July 2023 interview. Jordan recalled, “I used to be bullied a lot. I’d come home crying and my dad would say, ‘Just keep being yourself. You’re very funny.’ Every day I still live up to that.”

Jordan and Justin still keep their late parent’s memory alive through traditions they established together. The pair still have a weekly boys-only trip, including breakfast at McDonald’s, a stop at Chuck E. Cheese, and the car wash.

Jordan divulged he and his brother still go to Chuck E. Cheese and sit exactly where they used to with their father. “I miss everything about him. He was a really fun dad,” Justin admitted.