Tim McGraw Credits Wife Faith Hill for Saving His Career and Life

The country star reflects on the early days of his success and how his wife helped him find balance.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In a recent interview, country music legend Tim McGraw opened up about the pivotal role his wife, Faith Hill, played in helping him navigate the pitfalls of fame and fortune. McGraw admitted he was "drinking a lot" and "doing everything" in the early days of his success, but Hill "started tapping the brakes" and helped him slow down, refocus, and build a lasting career and life. McGraw credits Hill with not just saving his career, but also saving his life, saying he "certainly wouldn't have the career that I've had, had I not met her" and that he "would have burned out really quickly" without her influence.

Why it matters

This story provides a rare glimpse into the personal struggles of a major country music star and highlights the importance of having a supportive partner who can help navigate the challenges that come with sudden fame and success. It also underscores the enduring nature of McGraw and Hill's relationship, which has spanned nearly three decades and produced not just hit songs, but a stable family life.

The details

McGraw admitted that when he first found fame and fortune, he was "a kid in a candy store" who was "burning it wide open" with excessive drinking and partying. It was during this time that he met and married Faith Hill, who he says "started tapping the brakes" and helped him slow down, refocus, and build a lasting career and life. McGraw credits Hill's influence with not just saving his career, but also saving his life, saying he "certainly wouldn't have the career that I've had, had I not met her" and that he "would have burned out really quickly" without her.

  • Tim McGraw and Faith Hill met and fell in love while on the Spontaneous Combustion tour in the mid-1990s.
  • McGraw and Hill were married on October 6, 1996.
  • Nearly three decades later, the couple still credits their relationship with helping McGraw find balance and success.

The players

Tim McGraw

A country music legend known for hits like "Humble and Kind" and "Don't Take the Girl."

Faith Hill

A country music superstar in her own right, known for songs like "Breathe" and "This Kiss." She is also McGraw's wife of nearly 30 years.

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What they’re saying

“I was drinking a lot. That didn't stop after we got married, but she beat it out of me after a while.”

— Tim McGraw (The Tim Ferriss Show)

“She's magic. Not just her singing and her looks. Of course, that's all a bonus. But as a person, she's just magic. She just lights up a room, and she lit me up. And still does.”

— Tim McGraw (The Tim Ferriss Show)

What’s next

McGraw and Hill recently sold their historic Southern manor home outside of Nashville for $15 million, signaling a potential new chapter in their lives and careers.

The takeaway

This story highlights the importance of having a supportive partner who can help guide you through the challenges of fame and success. McGraw's candid admission about his struggles with drinking and partying in the early days of his career, and the pivotal role Faith Hill played in helping him find balance, serves as an inspiring reminder that even the most successful people can benefit from the love and guidance of a trusted partner.