Who is Renee Zellweger’s Ex-Husband? All You Need To Know About Him!

Renée Zellweger and country singer Kenny Chesney once had a whirlwind romance that turned into a brief marriage, and fans are still curious about what went wrong. While Zellweger is best known for her award-winning performances in Bridget Jones’s Diary, Judy, and Cold Mountain, her short-lived marriage to Chesney continues to attract attention.

Renee Zellweger’s Marriage to Kenny Chesney

Renee Zellweger was married to Kenny Chesney.

The couple met in early 2005 and tied the knot just four months later in a private ceremony at Chesney’s estate in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Unfortunately, their marriage lasted less than four months. The divorce cited “fraud” as the reason, which led to widespread speculation about Chesney’s sexuality.

To address the rumors, Zellweger released a statement:
“I would personally be very grateful for your support in refraining from drawing derogatory, hurtful, sensationalized or untrue conclusions and greatly appreciate your understanding that we hope to experience this transition as privately as possible.” (via People)

Kenny Chesney’s Career

Kenny Chesney is a successful country music singer originally from Knoxville, Tennessee.

He studied advertising at East Tennessee State University and began his music journey in 1989 with a self-produced demo album, Good Old Boy At Heart. He started by performing in local clubs and later secured a songwriting contract.

After appearing at a songwriter’s showcase, he signed with Capricorn Records and released his debut album, In My Wildest Dreams. Chesney has since released 19 more albums, with his latest titled Born (2024). He was recently named a member-elect of the Country Music Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact on the country music scene.

A Quick Look at Their Relationship

Before marrying Zellweger, Chesney had openly admired her in an interview with The Tennessean, saying:
“Here’s a country girl who’s still down to earth. You never see her coming, then — wham! — there she is. And that makes her really, really sexy. Plus, she seems like the kind of girl who could fit in and be at home anywhere.” (via US Weekly)

The two officially met at NBC’s Concert of Hope in January 2005. Zellweger had hoped to pass him a note, but Chesney approached her first, joking:
“I hear you are trying to pass me a note — don’t let the principal find out!”

From there, their connection grew quickly, leading to their brief but memorable marriage.