Randy Travis’ wife reveals doctors gave country legend just ‘1% chance of survival’ during devastating health crisis

See more of our coverage in your search results. Randy Travis had just a “1% chance of survival” following his 2013 hospitalization for viral cardiomyopathy. His wife, Mary, whom he wed in 2015, revealed the news in an interview with Fox News Digital published Friday, recalling the country music legend’s devastating health crisis more than a decade ago. “They had already told us he had a 1% chance of survival. And that was the first couple of days in the hospital,” Mary told the outlet. Randy Travis’ wife, Mary (pictured above with her husband in Texas in 2023), revealed that he had just a “1% chance of survival” following his 2013 hospitalization for viral cardiomyopathy. Getty Images for ACM Mary (seen above with Randy in Texas in April) told Fox News Digital Friday that they received the news during his first few days in the hospital. Getty Images “So here we are, five and a half months later, he’s still here. He’s still improving,” she added of her thoughts at the time while noting that Randy, now 67, came out of his second brain surgery “with flying colors.” She also recalled doctors telling them Randy didn’t “have any chance” following his first brain surgery, before they began to see “the glimmers of hope and the hand of God” in his recovery. Randy later suffered a stroke, prompting the couple to spend the next three years attending rehabilitation every day. Mary said they remained “very quiet and out of the limelight” during that period. Mary (pictured above with Randy at the Grand Ole Opry House this month) also said that he came through his second brain surgery “with flying colors.” Getty Images Randy (seen above with Mary in Nashville last year) also suffered a stroke during his 2013 hospitalization, prompting the couple to spend the next three years attending daily physical therapy. Getty Images for the Grand Ole Opry She went on to say that Randy eventually “got tired” of treatment and decided to “go live life,” which included continuing to work on his music. The country music legend released his first full album of original music in more than 18 years, “Same Old Way,” on Friday. Mary said that simply being with Randy is “such an inspiration” to her. She also said that if Randy hadn’t been in a coma and had been aware of his surroundings, he likely would’ve thanked the nurses whenever they had to “cut him or stick him or poke him.” Mary said Randy (pictured above in Nashville in June) eventually “got tired” of treatment and decided to “go live life,” which included continuing to work on his music. Getty Images Randy (seen above with Mary at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum last year) recently released “Same Old Way,” his first full album of original music in more than 18 years. Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Want more celebrity and pop culture news? Start your day with Page Six Daily. Thanks for signing up! “That was Randy Travis,” she added. Mary went on to explain how much the album’s release means to her, recalling that before Randy’s stroke, they thought “the world was an oyster” and that he would go on to release “so many more” albums. She described the latest release as a “miracle,” adding, “Life is so precious and so fragile, but it’s so wonderful also. And to be able to do something like this, it’s pretty monumental. It doesn’t happen often that somebody has the opportunity to do this after a life-changing moment.” Mary (pictured above with Randy at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2017) said the release of his new album holds special meaning because, before his stroke, they felt “the world was an oyster.” Rick Diamond Mary (seen above with Randy in Nashville in June) described the album’s release as a “miracle,” adding that “life is so precious and so fragile, but it’s so wonderful also.” Getty Images Randy’s friends and family members were reportedly “frantic” and “extremely worried” as the country music legend remained in critical condition at a Dallas, Texas, hospital in July 2013, where he was being treated for acquired viral cardiomyopathy. Page Six previously reported that Randy, who was 54 at the time, later received an implant known as the world’s smallest heart pump to help improve blood flow to his heart. Later that same month, Randy was recovering from surgery following a stroke and interacting with friends and family members while on a ventilator. By then, the country music legend was off his heart pump and had begun the early stages of physical therapy. Community Guidelines Welcome to the Page Six Community! Our community is about connecting people through open and thoughtful conversations. We want our readers to share their views and exchange ideas in a safe space. In order to do so, we've created a simple set of rules that will improve your experience. Simply put, keep it civil. 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