The Life of Beloved Star Ricky Nelson and His Tragic Demise

Rick and Kristin spent the next several years moving between separation and attempted reconciliation. With four children involved, neither side immediately closed the door on the marriage, but the same problems continued resurfacing as Rick remained frequently away from home for performances.

Arguments over spending, parenting, touring, and substance use kept the relationship unstable. By October 1980, Kristin again moved forward with divorce proceedings, making it clear that the marriage had not recovered. Around this same period, Rick met another woman who would soon become a major presence in his final years.