What Happened to Tamara Gilmer After Her Divorce from Rory Feek?

Rory Feek is a name that country music fans know very well. His songs, his love story with his late wife Joey, and his journey as a single father have touched many hearts. But before all the fame and music, there was another chapter in his life that few people talk about — his first wife, Tamara Gilmer.

Tamara was Rory’s first love and the mother of his two oldest daughters, Heidi and Hopie. Even though she has stayed away from the spotlight for decades, her story is still an important part of Rory’s life story.

In this article, we’ll look back at who Tamara Gilmer is, her marriage to Rory, why they separated, and what happened to her after the divorce. We’ll also talk about her children, her quiet lifestyle, and how her name has come up again in recent years.

Tamara Gilmer Quick Bio

Who Is Tamara Gilmer?

Tamara Gilmer is an American woman who became known because of her marriage to country singer and songwriter Rory Feek. She lived a very private life before and after their relationship. In fact, almost nothing is known about her early years — not her exact age, hometown, or education.

What we do know is that Tamara was married to Rory long before he became famous. Back then, he was just a young man trying to build a career in music while serving in the Marines. Tamara was part of those early, quiet years — the years before fame, record deals, and television shows.

It’s interesting how life works. Some people are born into fame, while others step into it by marrying someone who later becomes famous. Tamara is one of those people.

Tamara Gilmer and Rory Feek’s Love Story

Tamara and Rory’s love story began in the mid-1980s. While there are no public details about how they met, they fell in love and tied the knot on August 3, 1985.

They were both very young at the time and were just starting their lives together. Their early years were filled with hope and dreams, even though Rory’s music career hadn’t taken off yet. He was still figuring out his path in life, and Tamara was by his side through those uncertain times.

During their marriage, they welcomed two beautiful daughters — Heidi in 1986 and Hopie in 1988. These early family years were special, but as time went on, things changed. Their marriage, like many others, faced challenges that eventually led to an end.

Why Did Tamara Gilmer and Rory Feek Divorce?

Tamara Gilmer and Rory Feek’s marriage came to an end in 1992, just seven years after their wedding. The reason behind their divorce has never been made public. Neither of them has spoken openly about what caused the separation.

At that time, Rory was still not a well-known musician, and their lives were much quieter compared to what came later. After the divorce, Tamara stepped away completely from the public eye. She didn’t give interviews or make any appearances.

Sometimes relationships end quietly, without drama or headlines — just two people moving in different directions. That seems to be the case with Tamara and Rory.

Tamara Gilmer’s Life After the Divorce

After the divorce in 1992, Tamara Gilmer chose to live a private and peaceful life. She disappeared from the public view and never tried to use Rory’s growing fame for attention.

There are no known public records or social media accounts under her name. She never appeared in interviews or talked about her life with Rory. For many years, fans and media had no idea where she was or what she was doing.

It’s rare today to see someone stay so private, especially when connected to a celebrity. But Tamara seems to value peace and privacy more than fame.

What Happened to Tamara Gilmer?

So, what exactly happened to Tamara Gilmer after her divorce from Rory Feek? The truth is, not much is known. She chose to step back completely. Some sources suggest she still lives in the United States, quietly enjoying her life away from cameras and public attention.

There were even rumors online claiming that she had passed away, but there is no real evidence to support that. As far as reliable sources show, Tamara is still alive and living privately.

While Rory went on to find success in country music and share his family life publicly, Tamara decided to take the opposite path — to protect her privacy and stay out of the spotlight.

Did Tamara Gilmer Remarry or Stay Single?

There is no public record showing that Tamara Gilmer ever remarried after her divorce from Rory Feek. No photos, documents, or reports suggest she had another husband.

It’s very possible that she stayed single, focusing instead on her personal life and healing after the separation. Some people simply prefer quiet, private lives, especially after living through a public breakup.

What stands out most is her silence. Unlike many ex-spouses of celebrities, Tamara never spoke about Rory or her marriage. That alone shows she values respect and discretion — qualities that are rare in the age of social media.

Tamara Gilmer’s Children, Heidi and Hopie Feek

Tamara and Rory had two daughters — Heidi and Hopie Feek. After their parents’ divorce, Rory raised both girls on his own. He has often said that being a single father shaped him into the man he is today.

Heidi, the older daughter, was born in 1986. She grew up in Nashville and followed in her father’s musical footsteps. Over the years, she built her own singing career and now performs with her husband Dillon Hodges under the name Firekid.

Hopie, born in 1988, also had a creative spirit but took a different path. In 2018, she married her wife, Wendy, in a beautiful ceremony on the Feek family farm. However, in 2025, Hopie revealed through a DNA test that Rory is not her biological father, which brought a lot of attention back to Tamara and the past.

That revelation reopened many old wounds in the family — including how much Tamara had been a part of her daughters’ early lives.

Tamara Gilmer and Her Daughters Today

In recent years, Tamara’s name has surfaced again because of her daughters. Heidi, especially, has spoken publicly about reconnecting with her mother. She said that for many years she believed her mom had abandoned them — a story she says she learned from her father’s side.

But when Heidi reached out to Tamara as an adult, she learned a different story. Tamara told her that she had always wanted to be part of their lives but wasn’t given the chance. This emotional reconnection gave Heidi a new understanding of her childhood and of her mother’s quiet pain.

It’s a reminder that every family has more than one side to the story. While Rory has shared his version in his blogs and interviews, Tamara has remained silent, choosing not to defend herself publicly.

Why Did Tamara Gilmer Stay Silent All These Years?

Many people wonder why Tamara Gilmer never came forward to share her side of the story. After all, her ex-husband Rory Feek has written books, blog posts, and shared personal details about their family life.

But Tamara chose something different — silence. She didn’t speak to the media, didn’t post on social media, and never tried to explain or defend herself.

Maybe she just wanted peace. Maybe she didn’t want to be part of the public eye. Or maybe she thought staying quiet was better for her daughters. Whatever the reason, her choice to stay private is something we should respect — even if it leaves us with questions.

Where Is Tamara Gilmer Now?

As of 2025, Tamara Gilmer is believed to still be living somewhere in the United States. But there are no clear details about where she lives or what her life looks like now.

She doesn’t have any public social media. She has not appeared in any interviews or shows. It’s like she vanished into a quiet life — far from cameras, news stories, and online gossip.

This quiet lifestyle is very different from Rory’s open and public way of sharing his life. But it shows us that not everyone wants the world to know their every move. Some people simply want to live in peace — and Tamara seems to be one of those people.

Tamara Gilmer’s Net Worth and Career

Since Tamara Gilmer never shared much about her work or career, we don’t know what she did for a living after the divorce. She may have had a job or built a life out of the spotlight — but those details were kept private.

Still, some online sources estimate her net worth to be between $500,000 and $1 million. This could be from savings, investments, or possibly a settlement from her divorce from Rory Feek.

Her ex-husband, on the other hand, has built a successful music career. He’s also a writer and speaker, and his estimated net worth is around $3 million.

Final Thoughts

So, what happened to Tamara Gilmer after her divorce from Rory Feek? She quietly stepped away from fame, raised two daughters (at least partly), and chose not to live in the shadow of her ex-husband’s rising career.

Her story is not filled with headlines or social media posts — it’s filled with silence, grace, and privacy. And that makes it powerful in its own way.

Even though Tamara’s life is still a mystery, her role as the first wife of Rory Feek and the mother of his first two daughters will always be an important part of his story — and theirs. In the end, her quiet strength deserves to be remembered, even if she chose not to be seen.