LATEST UPDATE: At 67, Alan Jackson Finally Opens Up About His Late Son-in-Law, Ben Selecman — What He Revealed Left Fans in Tears 💔🙏
After years of private mourning, country music legend Alan Jackson, now 67, has finally spoken publicly about one of the most painful chapters of his life — the tragic death of his son-in-law, Ben Selecman. And what he shared has left fans deeply emotional.
Ben Selecman, who was married to Alan’s daughter Mattie Jackson, passed away suddenly in 2018 at just 28 years old after suffering a traumatic brain injury in a boating accident. At the time, the Jackson family remained largely silent, processing their grief in private while the public offered sympathy and support.
Now, in a recent interview tied to his upcoming memoir and reflective new music, Alan has decided to break his silence — not for attention, but to honor a young man he says “changed all of our lives forever.”
“It’s taken me years to even find the words,” Alan admitted. “You never expect to bury your child’s spouse. Ben was more than a son-in-law. He was like a son to me.”
Alan described Ben as kind, respectful, and faith-filled — someone who loved Mattie deeply and fit perfectly into the Jackson family. “He made her laugh. He made all of us laugh. He had that kind of light,” he said, his voice trembling.
For Alan, watching his daughter walk through grief was the hardest part. “I’m her dad. I’m supposed to protect her,” he said. “But there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t fix this.”
In his first real musical reflection on the tragedy, Alan revealed that a track from his latest work was inspired by Ben’s passing — a tender, stripped-back ballad written during a sleepless night when memories of Ben and Mattie overwhelmed him. The song has not yet been released publicly, but Alan hinted that it’s “the most personal thing I’ve ever recorded.”
Mattie Jackson, now an author and speaker, has shared her own healing journey in recent years. Alan said her strength gave him the courage to open up. “She’s the strongest person I know. If she can stand up and share her story, maybe I can too.”
Fans have responded with overwhelming support. Social media has flooded with messages of love, condolences, and gratitude for Alan’s vulnerability. Many say they’ve admired him for decades, but never felt closer to him than now.
“We’ve always loved his music,” one fan wrote. “But now we love the man behind the songs even more.”
Alan Jackson’s story is not just one of fame and music — it’s also about fatherhood, heartbreak, and quiet strength. And in finally sharing his pain, he’s reminded the world that even legends carry wounds unseen.
“Ben may be gone,” Alan said softly, “but he’ll always be part of our family. Always.”
And in that memory — through love, through grief, and through song — Ben Selecman’s light still shines.