For years, Ricky Van Shelton was the picture of country music success—his smooth baritone voice, boyish charm, and heartfelt ballads made him one of the biggest stars of the late 1980s and early ’90s. With No. 1 hits like “Somebody Lied,” “Life Turned Her That Way,” and “I’ll Leave This World Loving You,” he climbed the charts and captured hearts across the country.
But behind the polished image and chart-topping success was a private battle that few fans ever knew about—a slow, quiet war with alcohol that nearly cost him everything.
In a candid and emotional interview years after stepping away from the spotlight, Ricky finally opened up about the darkness that crept in during the height of his fame.
“I was smiling on stage, signing autographs, doing interviews,” he recalled, “but on the inside, I was falling apart. I was drinking to get through the day.”
Ricky revealed that the pressure of constant touring, public expectations, and the fear of failure began to wear him down. He turned to alcohol as a way to numb the stress and anxiety—telling himself it was just to relax, just to cope. But it quickly became more than that.
“It started as something casual. A drink here and there. But before I knew it, it was the only way I could function. I didn’t recognize myself anymore.”
At one point, he admits, he was close to losing his marriage, his career, and his sense of self. It wasn’t until he looked into the eyes of his wife, Bettye, and saw the pain his addiction was causing that he realized something had to change.
“She loved me through it. She didn’t walk away. But she didn’t sugarcoat it either. She told me I had to get help—or I’d lose everything.”
With her support, Ricky entered recovery and began the slow, humbling journey of getting sober. It wasn’t easy. It meant confronting his deepest fears and facing the wounds he’d buried for years. But he did it—and he’s never looked back.
“Sobriety gave me my life back. It gave me clarity. It gave me peace I didn’t even know I needed.”
In 2006, Ricky quietly stepped away from the spotlight to focus on his health, his family, and his faith. While fans have missed his voice on the radio, many now understand why he made that choice—and they admire him even more for it.
Today, Ricky Van Shelton lives a quieter, more meaningful life, far from the glare of the stage lights. But his story remains a powerful reminder that even those who seem to have it all can be fighting hidden battles—and that healing, with courage and love, is always possible.
“If my story helps just one person feel less alone, then it’s worth telling,” Ricky said.
“Because I’m living proof that it’s never too late to come back from the edge.”