Home / Arts and Entertainment / Trace Adkins Survived Near-Fatal Shooting by Ex
Trace Adkins Survived Near-Fatal Shooting by Ex
28 Jul
Summary
- Country star Trace Adkins was shot by his ex-wife Julie Curtis in 1994.
- The bullet passed through his heart and lungs, nearly costing him his life.
- Adkins has forgiven his ex-wife, believing she did not understand the gun's power.

Country singer Trace Adkins, aged 64, has shared details of a harrowing incident from 1994 when he was shot by his then-wife, Julie Curtis. The near-fatal shooting occurred during an argument over Adkins's drinking. Curtis fired a gun at Adkins as he attempted to disarm her. The bullet passed through his heart and lungs, causing critical injuries.
Adkins was airlifted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he underwent emergency open-heart surgery. He credits the swift medical intervention for saving his life. Adkins has expressed that he does not hold a grudge against Curtis, stating he believes she did not comprehend the destructive power of the weapon and perceived it as a toy.
The couple divorced later in 1994. Adkins, who has five daughters from previous relationships, later married actress Victoria Pratt in 2019. He continues to have regular checkups with a cardiologist and has previously spoken about the physical and emotional scars left by painful life events.