Trace Adkins Opens Up About Surviving Being Shot by His Ex-Wife in 1994: 'That Was Totally Uncalled For'

Country music icon Trace Adkins is sharing new, raw details about a night that nearly took his life. In a candid interview on Theo Von’s podcast, the singer revealed that his second wife, Julie Curtis, shot him during a heated argument about his drinking back in 1994. The bullet traveled through his heart and both lungs, forcing doctors to perform emergency open-heart surgery. Adkins flatlined on the table but survived, and doctors later told him the bullet didn’t mushroom because it was fired at point blank range.

What makes this story truly remarkable is Adkins’response. He chose not to press charges, and he says he has forgiven Curtis.“I don’t think she knew what was about to happen when she pulled that trigger. She thought it was a toy,”he explained. Nearly 30 years later, he still sees a heart specialist for regular checkups. It’s a powerful testament to survival — and to the kind of grace that isn’t always easy.

Trace Adkins has always been known as a tough country star, but this story adds a deeply human chapter to his legacy. It reminds us that even our heroes carry hidden battles. Do you think you could forgive someone who caused you that kind of harm? Let us know in the comments.