About the song
If It Weren’t for Her: George & Norma’s Love Story
Behind every great man, there is often a great love story—and in the case of George Strait, the “King of Country,” that story belongs to him and his wife, Norma. Their journey, spanning over five decades, is more than just a tale of romance. It is the story of two young Texans who grew up together, found their way back to each other, and built a life of enduring love, faith, and family.
George and Norma’s story began in Pearsall, Texas, where the two were high school sweethearts. Childhood friends first, they eventually discovered a deeper connection. George has often admitted that it was Norma who was his first real love. But like many young couples, they briefly drifted apart after high school. For a while, it seemed their story might end before it truly began. Yet destiny had other plans.
In 1971, George realized that his heart still belonged to Norma. He reached out, and soon after, the two reconnected and eloped. On December 4 of that year, George Strait and Norma Voss became husband and wife in a small, private ceremony. George has since joked that it was one of the best decisions he ever made. “If it weren’t for her,” he once said, “I wouldn’t be here today.”
As George’s career took off, Norma became his steady anchor. The bright lights of Nashville, the endless tours, and the demands of fame could have easily overwhelmed their marriage. Yet Norma remained a constant presence, preferring to stay out of the spotlight while offering her husband unwavering support. George has always credited her with keeping his feet on the ground, reminding him of who he truly was beyond the stage and the music charts.
Together, they raised two children, Jenifer and George Jr. Their family life was marked by both joy and sorrow. In 1986, tragedy struck when their daughter Jenifer was killed in a car accident at just 13 years old. The loss was devastating, and George has rarely spoken publicly about it. But those close to the couple say that Norma’s strength during that time was what helped hold the family together. Their bond, tested in the darkest of moments, only grew stronger.
Even today, after more than fifty years of marriage, George Strait speaks of Norma with deep admiration and gratitude. Their love has been described as quiet but powerful, built not on grand gestures but on mutual respect, loyalty, and shared values. Fans may know George as a superstar with over 60 No. 1 hits, but at home, he is a husband who still looks at Norma with the same affection he did as a teenage boy in Pearsall.
Their story is a reminder that behind the glamour of fame lies the foundation of something greater—love that endures. For George Strait, music may have given him a crown, but Norma gave him something far more valuable: a life of stability, meaning, and unconditional love. Truly, if it weren’t for her, there would be no King of Country.
