Willie Nelson is turning 92 in April and he’s celebrating with a string of new tour dates, as friends marvel to Closer exclusively about the country icon’s energy levels and reveal how his work ethic hasn’t slowed a bit in his old age.
“Willie is still thriving, it’s pretty exceptional to see how vibrant he still is. He’s got no qualms about taking on this tour, he’s still in the studio making music, and still has all these other plans he wants to tackle,” an insider exclusively tells Closer.
The “On the Road Again” singer is set to take the stage at the Pompano Beach Amphitheater on Wednesday, February 12, and has several other gigs booked in Florida to finish out the month before heading to Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and Texas in April.
“He’s deep into planning his Fourth of July party later this year, and he’s still very tuned into politics and doing what he can to support the causes he believes in,” added the insiders. “He also still uses weed every day, he and his wife, Annie [Nelson], put out a weed cookbook a few months ago and they really eat all those recipes. He claims it’s what allows him to keep touring and making music and that in turn keeps him going and feeling like himself.”
Willie continued to expand his author credits with the release of Willie and Annie Nelson’s Cannabis Cookbook: Mouthwatering Recipes and the High-Flying Stories Behind Them in November 2024.
“He’s working on another album; he’s still got so much he wants to do as an artist,” the source tells Closer. “His marriage is firing on all cylinders too, he and his wife are so in love, he’s an inspiration.”
The singer-guitarist and his longtime love have been married since 1991. They share two musician sons: Lukas, 36, and Micah Nelson, 34.
Willie was previously married to Martha Matthews, Shirley Collie Nelson and Connie Koepke.
His other children Lana, 71, Susie, 68, and Billy were shared with first wife Martha, who he was married to from 1952 to 1962. Willie shares daughters Paula, 55, and Amy, 51, with his third wife, Connie, whom he was married to from 1971 to 1988. Willie and Martha also shared a son named Billy, but he died at age 33 in 1991.
While reflecting on his rise to fame and accomplishments, the songwriter said that he wants to be remembered for always showing up during a 2023 interview with E! News.
Willie said that he doesn’t exactly have the secret to living a long life but seems to have found a way that works for him. “I wish I could tell you,” Willie admitted, revealing he enjoys eating eggs and waffles, and has “a lot” of protein shakes.
“I really don’t know, except that I really do believe in imagining what you want to do and let it happen. And that’s my full philosophy and it’s working,” he shared.
“I’m doing pretty good,” he resounded. “I’ve managed to keep my weight down pretty good, and I really don’t do anything that’s bad for me. I don’t drink as much as I used to. I still take a drink of tequila occasionally, but not like I used to.”
