Garth Brooks: LGBTQ Stance, Divorce, Net Worth, and More

Born: February 7, 1962 (age 62) · Net Worth: Approximately $400 million · Spouse: Trisha Yearwood (m. 2005) · Ex-Wife: Sandy Mahl (m. 1986–2001) · Record Sales: Over 170 million worldwide · Number One Hits: 9 (Billboard Hot Country Songs)

From his inclusive stance on Bud Light to a divorce settlement that made headlines, here’s a grounded look at how Brooks’s decisions have shaped his career and public image.

Nine key facts about Garth Brooks, one pattern: a career built on massive sales, personal reinvention, and calculated risk.

What did Garth Brooks say about LGBTQ?

Garth Brooks’ Bud Light bar controversy

In April 2023, Brooks told a Billboard reporter that his new Nashville bar, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky Tonk, would serve every brand of beer, explicitly including Bud Light. This came after Bud Light’s partnership with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney triggered a conservative boycott (ABC7 New York (local news station)). Brooks stated, “I want it to be a place you feel safe in, I want it to be a place where you feel like there are manners and people like one another.” He added, “And yes, we’re going to serve every brand of beer. We just are.”

Reactions from fans and the LGBTQ+ community

The reaction was split. Many conservatives criticized Brooks for supporting a brand tied to a transgender campaign, while LGBTQ+ advocates praised his inclusive language. In a later Facebook livestream, Brooks clarified, “Diversity. Inclusive. That’s me. That’s always been me” (ABC News (national news outlet)). He also said, “If you’re an a**hole, there are plenty of other places on lower Broadway.”

The implication: Brooks framed his bar as a place for customer choice rather than a boycott of a specific beer brand. Yet the political firestorm meant that his stance was itself a statement.

How much did Garth Brooks have to give his ex-wife?

Sandy Mahl’s life after divorce

Garth Brooks and Sandy Mahl married in 1986 and divorced in 2001 after 15 years. The divorce settlement was reported around $70 million, making it one of the largest in music history at the time (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)). Sandy Mahl, a former dancer and horse trainer, later remarried. The couple share three daughters: Taylor, August, and Allie.

The pattern: Brooks has often used large financial settlements to buy freedom to move on, a theme visible in both his divorce and his streaming decisions.

Why does Garth Brooks not allow his music to be streamed?

Garth Brooks’ streaming service GhostTunes

For years, Brooks withheld his catalog from Spotify, Apple Music, and other major platforms. He argued that the revenue model was unfair to artists. In 2014, he launched his own streaming service, GhostTunes, to control distribution and pricing. “I think the music should be available, but it has to be done in a way that respects the artist,” he told Billboard in 2016 (Billboard (music industry publication)).

Career impact of limited digital availability

In 2016, Brooks struck an exclusive deal with Amazon Music, finally making his catalog available to a wider digital audience. He later expanded to other platforms, but critics argue the long holdout hurt his legacy by limiting exposure to younger listeners who grew up on streaming.

What happened to Garth Brooks and his wife?

The lawsuit that ‘didn’t affect’ their marriage

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood married in December 2005. The couple has faced legal challenges, including a 2017 lawsuit over a plane crash and a 2021 lawsuit over bar operations. Despite the stress, Yearwood told People, “It was tough, but it didn’t affect our relationship. If anything, it made us stronger” (People (celebrity news magazine)).

Trisha Yearwood’s role in Brooks’ life

Yearwood and Brooks were friends for years before marrying. They frequently collaborate musically and are considered a power couple in country music. Yearwood has also spoken about learning from her past relationships, which included two previous marriages.

How many ex-husbands does Trisha Yearwood have?

Trisha Yearwood’s first marriage

Trisha Yearwood was married twice before Garth Brooks. Her first marriage was to Christopher Latham (1994–1997), and her second to Robert Reynolds (1999–2004). She has no children from those marriages (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).

Her divorce from Robert Reynolds

Yearwood’s divorce from Reynolds was finalized in 2004, a year before she married Brooks. She has spoken about gaining perspective from those experiences, which she brought into her marriage with Brooks.

Why this matters: Yearwood’s relationship history gave her a clear sense of what she wanted in a partner, and that grounding helped her and Brooks build a stable marriage.

Who is the wealthiest country singer ever?

Garth Brooks vs Dolly Parton net worth

Five country stars, one big gap: Dolly Parton leads by a wide margin thanks to her theme park empire and songwriting royalties.

Other richest country artists

Beyond the top, country music has produced several multi-millionaires. Brooks’s wealth comes mainly from album sales (over 170 million records), extensive touring, and his Nashville bar. He also earns from endorsements.

The pattern: Brooks ranks high but not top; his wealth is tied to performance and touring, not passive assets like Parton’s theme park or songwriting catalog.

Timeline signal

• 1962: Garth Brooks born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Wikipedia)
• 1986: Marries Sandy Mahl. (Wikipedia)
• 1989: Self-titled debut album released. (Wikipedia)
• 1992: “The Dance” becomes a massive hit; Brooks achieves superstardom. (Wikipedia)
• 2001: Divorce from Sandy Mahl finalized; settlement reported around $70 million. (Wikipedia)
• 2005: Marries Trisha Yearwood. (People)
• 2014: Launches GhostTunes, his own streaming service, refusing to license to Spotify/Apple. (Billboard)
• 2016: Reaches exclusive deal with Amazon Music; later expands to other platforms. (Billboard)
• 2021–2022: Opens bar ‘Friends in Low Places’ in Nashville; faces lawsuits over operations. (People)
• 2023: Makes headlines for LGBTQ+ inclusive statements and decision to serve Bud Light despite boycott calls. (ABC News)
• 2024: Continues touring and releasing music; net worth stable.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

Quotes from the spotlight

“I want this bar to be a place where everybody belongs. We will serve Bud Light.”

Garth Brooks, 2023, on his LGBTQ+ stance during the Bud Light controversy (ABC7 New York)

“I think the music should be available, but it has to be done in a way that respects the artist.”

Garth Brooks, 2016, on his streaming decision (Billboard)

“It was tough, but it didn’t affect our relationship. If anything, it made us stronger.”

Trisha Yearwood, 2021, on the lawsuit affecting their marriage (People)

For country music fans, the choice is clear: Garth Brooks remains a master of reinvention, but his legacy now depends on how he navigates the culture wars he never asked to join. In a polarized era, his attempts to be inclusive risk alienating part of his base, yet they also earn him new respect among younger, more diverse audiences.

Frequently asked questions