Country music’s iconic power couple, Johnny Cash and June Carter, have one of the greatest love stories in music history. After meeting at the Grand Ole Opry in 1956 when Johnny was still new to the music scene, the connection between the couple was obvious. Even June admitted at the time it felt like they had known each other forever.
In the years that followed, Johnny and June each ended up divorcing their respective spouses, and June went on tour with Johnny and her family, the famous singing group The Carter Family. Eventually, the couple fell in love, and Johnny proposed to June on stage in 1968 following a performance of the song they often sang together, called “Jackson.”
On February 29, 1968, Johnny and June announced their plans to marry when they went on stage to accept the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Duet, Trio or Group for “Jackson.” The following day, Johnny and June were married at the Methodist Church in Franklin, Kentucky.
The couple stayed together for 35 years, until June’s death on May 15, 2003. Johnny passed away only three months later, on September 12, 2003.
Nine years before June’s death, Johnny proved his undying love for his bride in a touching love letter he wrote to her for her birthday. The letter is so romantic, it was declared the greatest love letter of all time by the Daily Mail.
Johnny opened his letter by saying “Happy Birthday Princess,” before going on to write how lucky he felt to have June in his life:
“Once in a while, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much.”
Photo Credit: Carters News Agency
Doesn’t that make your heart melt? We’re sure the letter is one June treasured for the rest of her life.
Listen to Johnny and June sing their iconic duet, “Jackson,” in the video below.
