For decades, Reba McEntire has been a towering presence in country music: powerhouse vocals, chart-dominating albums, and a TV sitcom that introduced her to millions of households. But at 70 years old, she’s entering what she calls her happiest era yet — and the glow is unmistakable. In her latest interview, she opens up about love, life, work, and how this moment in time is far richer than she ever could have imagined.

A Lifetime of Hits and a New Season of Joy

From her early days in Oklahoma rodeo country to becoming one of the top-selling female artists of all time — yes, including over 75 million albums and three Grammy wins. What’s thrilling now isn’t just a look back at the legacy, but a full-on immersion into the present. McEntire is starring on season 28 of The Voice and the second season of her sitcom Happy’s Place. She says she’s never had more fun. “I think I’m happier now than I’ve ever been in my life,” she tells the magazine.

There’s a spark in the way she talks about each day, about rising to the rehearsal, walking on set, meeting up with co-stars and friends, and coming home with a full heart. For McEntire, 70 doesn’t mean winding down — it means turning the volume up. She says she doesn’t have plans to retire anytime soon. “Slow down, maybe, but no plans of retiring.”

Love Found, and a New Kind of Partnership

Part of the glow is romantic: McEntire is engaged to actor Rex Linn, and she says she’s never been loved by a man like him. “Rex is a very tender-hearted man, and I just love him with all my heart. He’s a good guy.” Their connection goes beyond the romantic: they meet, drive to set together, rehearse together, talk and laugh together. It’s not just about being in love — it’s about being partners in craft, in adventure, in work and play.

In a world that often equates aging with stepping back, she’s flipped the script. At 70, she’s stepping forward — into love, into new creative chapters, into a lifestyle that celebrates each day. They’ve known each other since the early ’90s, but their romantic connection rekindled in 2020.

A Work Ethic of a Lifetime, and a New-found Freedom

When you’ve done as much as McEntire has done, there could be pressure to slow down, reflect, rest. But instead she embraces what she still can do — still wants to do — while letting go of what she no longer needs. She confesses: “I used to think being content was a no-no, because if you’re content you’re not going to strive to continue to do better. That’s not true.”

On the set of The Voice and Happy’s Place, she’s not just a veteran presence — she’s a curious, engaged contributor. She loves discovering new singers, learning from fellow coaches, and being surprised. She says that part of the excitement is simply showing up, ready, and open.

At the same time, she admits that the hardest lesson she’s tried to learn is this: stop living for tomorrow, stop living for yesterday. Live for now. “It’s so rewarding when it clicks.”
That kind of philosophy can be contagious. It’s the kind of mindset that says: love what you have, keep striving for what you want, and make the journey matter.

Re-capping Milestones — And Looking Ahead

Let’s recap:

A career that began with a record deal in 1975.
75 million albums sold, multiple Grammy wins.
Iconic TV show in the early 2000s, which brought her to new audiences.
Today, starring in major network shows, behind the scenes still hungry for meaningful work.
Happily engaged, saying that at 70 she’s at her best.

And she’s not done. She sees no finish line in sight. She said she and longtime friend Dolly Parton talked a lot when Dolly was doing her version of Reba — and they asked each other: Why would we stop? What could be as fun as this? She says: “I agree with her a hundred percent.”

Why This Season Resonates with So Many

You might ask: What does McEntire’s journey have to do with you or me? Quite a bit, actually.

First: reinvention isn’t limited to youth. At 70, many folks assume life changes, slows down, pivots away from the spotlight. Yet McEntire defies that expectation. She shows that you can evolve, not fade; that purpose and joy don’t expire.

Second: finding love and partnership after so many years can feel like a new lease. She’s living proof that timing doesn’t always follow the script we imagine. That’s inspiring for anyone who’s ever wondered if the best seasons are behind them.

Third: joy in work. Whether you’re in showbiz or not, the idea of “I still show up because I want to” is a powerful message. She’s not there just because she has to be. She’s there because she chooses to be. And that’s a mindset worth emulating.

Finally: living fully in the present. She’s letting go of regrets, fears, the “should haves.” She’s saying: this moment matters. That work, that attitude — it shifts everything.

What’s Next — And Why to Keep Watching

As we look ahead, there’re a few things to keep on our radar:

Happy’s Place Season 2 premieres November 7 on NBC (and streams the next day).
The Voice is live Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET — McEntire is back coaching and investing in new talent.
On the personal side: wedding bells may be ahead, but more importantly she’s building a life that blends love, work, friendship and joy.
She’s also talking about maybe slowing down in the future — but not just yet. The phrase “when it’s time I’ll know” stands out.

For fans of classic country music, for anyone who’s cheered McEntire on for decades — this isn’t just nostalgia, it’s a fresh chapter. For those who never followed her work, this is a moment worth noticing: a woman who made it, kept going, and is now enjoying the ride with full eyes and an open heart.

Final Thoughts: A Message Worth Sharing

Here’s what sticks with me: Reba’s story right now isn’t just about success. It’s about fulfillment. It’s about getting to a point where you say: yes, I worked, I earned, I achieved — and now I get to be. Be present. Be joyful. Be open to surprise.

She says she loves this chapter in her life. She says she’s grateful. And she hasn’t given up the fire. She’s lighting a beacon for anyone thinking: Is it too late? Is that part done? She says: Not even close.

At 70, Reba McEntire is showing us how to embrace the season we’re in — with gratitude for what’s been and excitement for what’s next. That’s a story worth listening to.