Elisa Gayle Ritter: What Happened to Narvel Blackstock’s First Wife?

Have you ever heard the name Elisa Gayle Ritter and wondered who she really is? If so, you’re not alone. Many people search for her name and find confusing results. Some even think she’s the same person as Reba McEntire!

But here’s the truth — Elisa Gayle Ritter is a real woman with her own story. She was once married to Narvel Blackstock, a well-known music manager and TV producer. She’s also the mother of Brandon Blackstock, who was married to Kelly Clarkson.

In this article, we’ll take you through her full story — from her early life and young marriage to where she is now in 2026. It’s simple, honest, and full of details people often miss.

Elisa Gayle Ritter Quick Bio


Full Name	Elisa Gayle Ritter
Date of Birth	January 6, 1956
Age (2026)	70 years old
Place of Birth	Tarrant County, Texas, USA
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White / Caucasian
Religion	Christianity
Height	5’8″ (173 cm)
Weight	116 lbs (53 kg)
First Husband	Narvel Blackstock (1973–1988)
Second Husband	Daniel Gilbert (1989–present)
Children	Shawna Rene, Brandon, Chassidy Celeste
Grandchildren	Savannah, Seth, River, Remington
Great-Grandchildren	1 (with 1 more expected in 2026)
Known For	TV and music producer
Net Worth (2026)	Estimated $15 million
Active Years	1970s–present (behind the scenes)
Often Confused With	Reba McEntire
Social Media	Facebook (private profile)

Elisa Gayle Ritter’s Early Life and Background

Elisa Gayle Ritter was born on January 6, 1956, in Tarrant County, Texas. She grew up in a quiet and simple family. Not much is known about her parents or siblings because Elisa has always kept her private life out of the spotlight.

She’s an American by nationality and belongs to the white ethnicity. From a young age, she was described as thoughtful, kind, and family-loving. She wasn’t famous or flashy — just a regular girl from Texas who would later become connected to big names in the music world.

Even today, Elisa prefers a private life. She’s not the type to chase fame or show off on social media. But behind the scenes, she’s lived a life full of love, challenges, and quiet strength.

How Elisa Gayle Ritter Met Narvel Blackstock

So, how did Elisa meet Narvel Blackstock? It all began when they were just teenagers. Both were young, hopeful, and trying to find their path in life. Narvel was only 17, and Elisa was even younger — just 16 years old when they got married in 1973.

At that time, Narvel was trying to break into the music world. He played the steel guitar in a local band and had big dreams. Elisa supported him every step of the way. They were two young souls in love, building their future together.

It wasn’t a fancy celebrity love story. It was simple. Real. And like many young couples, they had to grow up fast while chasing their goals.

The Marriage of Elisa Gayle Ritter and Narvel Blackstock

Elisa and Narvel’s marriage lasted for 15 years, from 1973 to 1988. They started with almost nothing and worked hard to build a life. Elisa was not just a wife — she was a partner in every way. She stood by Narvel while he moved from being a musician to becoming a successful manager and producer.

During those years, Narvel’s career took off. He worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including Reba McEntire and later Kelly Clarkson. But behind his success was Elisa — quietly helping, managing, and being part of the journey.

They also started a family together. While Narvel built his name in the entertainment world, Elisa was raising their children and keeping the family strong. For 15 years, they shared a life full of both love and challenges.

Meet Elisa Gayle Ritter’s Children

Elisa Gayle Ritter and Narvel Blackstock had three children together — and each one is special in their own way.

Shawna Rene Blackstock, their eldest, was born in 1973.
Brandon Blackstock, their only son, was born in 1976.
Chassidy Celeste Blackstock, their youngest, came in 1978.

Shawna and Chassidy live private lives away from the spotlight. They focus on their families and personal lives and don’t appear in the media often.

But Brandon followed in his father’s footsteps. He became a famous talent manager, working with stars like Blake Shelton and Kelly Clarkson. Brandon also helped run his father’s company, Starstruck Entertainment.

Elisa is known to be a very loving mother, and now, a proud grandmother — and even a great-grandmother!

Brandon Blackstock’s Life and Legacy

Brandon Blackstock is the most well-known of Elisa’s children. He was married to pop star Kelly Clarkson from 2013 to 2021, and they had two children:

River Rose, born in 2014
Remington Alexander, born in 2016

Before Kelly, Brandon was married to Melissa Ashworth, and they had two kids: Savannah and Seth. So Elisa has four grandchildren through Brandon alone.

Brandon had a busy career managing artists and also started his own rodeo company in Montana. Sadly, Brandon passed away from cancer on August 7, 2025, at the age of 48. His passing was a huge loss to the family.

Elisa, as his mother, has stayed strong and continues to honor his memory by loving his children and helping keep his legacy alive.

Elisa Gayle Ritter’s Career in TV and Music

Even though Elisa didn’t chase the spotlight, she had a strong career in TV and music. She worked as a TV producer and also helped manage music artists during the time she was married to Narvel.

She was part of a company called Yankee, where she played a role behind the scenes. Elisa helped with music management, working quietly with major artists like Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson.

She also helped produce TV projects and music albums. Over time, Elisa built a quiet but solid name in the industry. She wasn’t just “Narvel’s wife.” She had her own skills and made her own path.

Why Elisa and Narvel Split

After 15 years of marriage, Elisa Gayle Ritter and Narvel Blackstock ended their relationship in 1988. Like many couples who marry young, they grew in different directions over time. Life in the spotlight and the busy music world brought many challenges.

Their divorce was quiet and respectful. There was no big scandal or fight in public. Elisa and Narvel chose to focus on their children and move forward peacefully.

Soon after the divorce, Narvel’s life changed again. In 1989, just a year later, he married country music superstar Reba McEntire. But Elisa was already on her way to a new and happy chapter.

Elisa Gayle Ritter’s Life After Divorce

Elisa didn’t stay single for long. In August 1989, she married Daniel Gilbert — the man who would become her life partner for over three decades. Their love story is calm, supportive, and full of joy.

Daniel often shares loving posts about Elisa on social media. He calls her a “Proverbs 31 woman,” which means a strong, wise, and caring wife. They’ve shared many memories together, from raising children to celebrating their 35th wedding anniversary in Jackson Hole.

Unlike her first marriage, Elisa’s second life is quiet, peaceful, and mostly private. But those close to her say she is happy, surrounded by love, and deeply appreciated by her family.

The Reba McEntire Confusion Explained

One of the most common questions online is: “Is Elisa Gayle Ritter the same person as Reba McEntire?” The answer is no.

The confusion started because both women were married to Narvel Blackstock, and at certain points, they looked a little alike. Old photos online made things worse. If you Google Elisa’s name, you’ll often see pictures of Reba by mistake.

This led to viral posts, jokes, and confusion on social media. But in truth, Elisa Gayle Ritter and Reba McEntire are two completely different women, each with her own life, story, and personality.

Reba herself has even spoken kindly about Elisa’s children, saying she doesn’t see them as stepchildren — she sees them as her own.

Where Is Elisa Gayle Ritter Today?

In 2026, Elisa Gayle Ritter is living a calm and happy life. She enjoys time with her husband Daniel, visits from her children and grandkids, and peaceful days away from the public eye.

She may not be active on Instagram or TikTok, but she’s often seen sharing love and memories on Facebook. She posts photos of her family, moments with Daniel, and sometimes memories of her late son Brandon.

Elisa stays away from fame and drama. She finds joy in simple things — being with family, helping others, and celebrating life’s quiet blessings.

Elisa Gayle Ritter’s Grandkids and Great-Grandkids

Elisa is not just a mother — she’s a grandmother and now a great-grandmother too! Through her son Brandon and her daughters, she has several grandchildren.

Brandon had four kids from two marriages: Savannah, Seth, River, and Remington.
Her daughter Chassidy is married and has a family of her own.
Her daughter Shawna is also married and living privately.

In 2022, Elisa and Narvel became great-grandparents when Savannah welcomed her first child. And in 2025, Savannah shared the exciting news that another baby is on the way in early 2026.

Family is everything to Elisa. She loves her growing family and is proud of every one of them.

Final Thoughts

So, what really happened to Elisa Gayle Ritter?

She lived a full and interesting life. She married young, raised a beautiful family, supported a music career, and later found lasting love with someone new. She worked hard, stayed kind, and remained private — even when people confused her with a famous singer.

Elisa’s story isn’t about fame. It’s about love, strength, and quiet success. She may not be in the headlines, but her impact is real — through her family, her work, and the life she built.

In 2026, she continues to inspire anyone who believes in starting over, staying strong, and finding happiness on their own terms.

(FAQs)

Is Elisa Gayle Ritter related to John Ritter?

No, they are not related at all. Despite having the same last name, Elisa has no family connection to actor John Ritter.

Is Elisa Gayle Ritter the same person as Reba McEntire?

No! But many people think so. Elisa and Reba were both married to Narvel Blackstock, and old photos made them look alike. But they are two completely different women.