Randy Travis’ Wife Says He Was Given 1% Chance of Survival in 2013
Mary Travis says doctors gave country singer Randy Travis a 1% chance of surviving his 2013 health crisis. His first album of original material in more than 18 years, "Same Old Way," is out now with 12 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1986 and 2013.
Randy Travis, the country singer hospitalized in 2013 for congestive heart failure, was given a 1% chance of survival, his wife Mary said in an interview published November 13, 2026, as his new album "Same Old Way" came out.
The 12-track record is his first album of original material in more than 18 years.
"They had already told us he had 1% chance of survival. And that was the first couple of days in the hospital," Mary Travis said. She described the recovery that followed: "So here we are, five and a half months later, he's still here. He's still improving."
She said he came through a second brain surgery "with flying colors."
The "Forever and Ever, Amen" singer was hospitalized in 2013 with congestive heart failure tied to viral cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle. He then suffered a massive stroke that left him partially paralyzed and affected his speech. A trip to seek treatment for congestion turned into a five-and-a-half-month hospital stay, followed by years of rehabilitation.
"We went through three years of rehab every single day, so we were very quiet and out of the limelight, if you will," she said.
Eventually, she said, Travis "got tired" of constant rehabilitation and decided to "go live life." Trips back to Nashville helped renew their hope that he could be involved in music again.
The new album
"Same Old Way" features 12 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1986 and 2013. His longtime producer, Kyle Lehning, restored them.
In May 2024, Travis released "Where That Came From," which used AI technology to recreate his singing voice. His "More Life" tour continued through 2026. He appears alongside Mary while guest vocalist James Dupré and his longtime band perform his hits.
Mary said the stroke ended an assumption that many more albums lay ahead. The release is emotional for her because it represents an opportunity they once were not sure would come again.
'Randy Travis hasn't changed'
Aphasia, a language disorder, still affects his ability to communicate, Mary said. She said his character has held steady through it all.
She recalled that nurses would treat him in the hospital, and if he was aware, he would say, "Thank you." "That was Randy Travis," she said.
"I have pictures of him there in the rehab center and he's smiling. He's laughing. He's giving it all he's got. Randy Travis hasn't changed," she said. "He still has that, that love for life, the love for people."
