Some of Willie Nelson’s Kids Followed In His Footsteps: Meet the Country Icon’s 8 Adult Children

Lana Nelson

Lana, Willie’s eldest child, was born in 1953 to Willie and first wife Martha Matthews. She often appears on the singer’s social media profile and even had a small role in his 1986 film, Red Headed Stranger. 

Lana’s love for her dad was evident in a tribute she penned to him and posted on his website in 2015.

“My dear father is a sweet, mellow, loving man that makes me light up inside when I look into his eyes,” she wrote. “He has been an inspiration and a role model, teaching me the most important lessons of my life.”

Susie Nelson

Willie and Martha welcomed second daughter Susie in 1956. She published a book about her life as Willie Nelson’s daughter in 1987 titled, Heart Worn Memories: A Daughter’s Personal Biography of Willie Nelson. She and her father cohosted a SiruisXM show called “Susie’s Gospel Hour” in 2012.

Willie “Billy” Nelson Jr.

The couple welcomed their youngest child in 1958. Billy sadly committed suicide on Christmas Day 1991. Before his passing, the father-son duo recorded a gospel song called “My Body’s Just a Suitcase for My Soul,” which Willie later released in 1994.

In a docuseries released in December 2023, Willie and his family talked about how they handled Billy’s death.

“We did everything together, but he had a lot of issues,” Susie said. “They became more and more.”

Willie only briefly touched on his son’s death by saying, “Those were bad times.”

Mark Rothbaum, Willie’s business manager, said that Billy had problems with the way his father had been treated and that he felt like Willie had “been exploited too often by too many people. Life was hard for him.”

Paula Nelson

Willie’s fourth child – his first with third wife Connie Koepke – was born in 1969, while he was still married to his second wife, Shirley Collie Nelson. Paula followed in her father’s footsteps and has released five studio albums. She currently hosts “The Paula Nelson Show” on weekdays on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country as well as a weekday show on the Willie’s Roadhouse channel.

Paula appeared in the 2023 docuseries, Willie Nelson & Family, and mentioned how her mother was “the new girlfriend, then wife.” She also added that it took a while for her siblings, Lana, Susie and Billy to adjust, but that they’re all close now.

In May 2016, Paula shared a rare family photo on Facebook with her father and some of her siblings.

Amy Lee Nelson

After marrying Connie, the couple welcomed their second daughter in 1973. Also a singer, Amy sings alongside Cathy Guthrie – daughter of Arlo Guthrie – in the band Folk Uke. The duo’s famous fathers have each appeared on the band’s records.

In November 2023, Amy shared a photo of herself and her dad posing with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter as tribute after she died on November 19, 2023. She captioned the photo, “Rosalynn Forever!”

Lukas Nelson

Lukas is the first child of Willie and his current wife. Born in 1988, his band, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, has released numerous albums including 2021’s A Few Stars Apart and 2023’s Sticks and Stones, the latter of which featured 12 tracks written by Lukas. 

In 2018, Lukas won a Grammy for his work co-producing the music for the film A Star Is Born. In addition to writing songs for Lady Gaga and being Bradley Cooper’s vocal coach for the role, Lukas’ band appears as Bradley’s band in the film.

In 2023, Lukas took the stage during celebration for Willie’s 90th birthday. He sang “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground” in honor of his dad’s career and lasting impact on his life.

Micah Nelson

Willie’s youngest son was born in 1990. Micah is also a musician and often tours with his father.He sat down with Texas Monthly in June 2023 and gave fans some insight on what it was like growing up with Willie as his dad.

“Well, you know, he’s never been a textbook parent,” Micah explained. “He never read the book, Parenting Book 101, but as far as someone who’s setting an example of integrity and compassion and of perseverance and resilience in the face of just the worst things you can imagine, and using your talents to make something of your life, and treating people with respect, and all these things that he represents, I just — he’s great. He’s a great dad.”

Renee

In 2012, Willie learned he fathered an eighth child. While it is unclear when Renee was born, Willie opened up about his daughter in his 2013 memoir, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die: Musings From the Road. 

“I have an old, dear friend, Mary Haney, who I’d lost touch with but recently met again after decades. Turns out Mary and I had a child together called Renee,” he revealed at the time. “It also turns out Renee has a daughter, Noelle, who has a daughter, ­Jordan, who I am happy to now call my great-granddaughter.” 

“My newly discovered family sure took some time to surface,” he added.

Renee married Joel Butts in 1976, and she worked as a graphic designer.

In 2016, she honored her dad in a Facebook post, writing alongside a photo of her and Willie, “This is also my dad and I love him so much. Happy Fathers Day dad. I know I’m a really lucky girl to have two of the finest men in this world be dads to me.”

Renee died in August 2017, but her cause of death was never released.