Ty Herndon was the golden boy of mid-90s country. He had the hair, the voice, and that massive hit "What Mattered Most." But behind the scenes, his personal life was a complicated web of secrets, addiction, and a marriage that many fans still ask about today. When people search for Ty Herndon's first wife, they’re usually looking for Renee Posey, the woman who stood by him during his meteoric rise and his most public crash.
Except, there’s a little more to it than that. Some records and early interviews point to a marriage even earlier than Renee—a brief union in the late 80s to a woman named Linda. Details on that first-first marriage are incredibly scarce, likely because it happened before the bright lights of Nashville found him. By the time Ty became a household name, Renee was the woman at his side.
The Renee Era: Love in the Limelight
Ty married Renee Posey on March 13, 1993. This wasn't just a casual "Vegas" wedding; Renee was deeply embedded in his career. She was a registered nurse, but she also co-founded the What Mattered Most Foundation with him. People saw them as the ultimate Nashville power couple.
Honestly, they looked perfect.
But 1995 changed everything. Ty was arrested in a Fort Worth park for exposing himself to an undercover officer. It was a scandal that should have ended his career. Surprisingly, it didn't—at least not right away. He went to rehab, and Renee stayed. She was there for the apologies, the "comeback" albums, and the grueling tours.
They finally called it quits in 2002. Nine years is a lifetime in the music industry, especially when you're battling the demons Ty was fighting.
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The Secret Both Wives Knew
When Ty Herndon officially came out as gay in 2014, the world was shocked. Well, the fans were. His ex-wives? Not so much.
Ty has been very open about the fact that both Renee and his first wife, Linda, knew about his sexuality. He didn't lead a double life in the way most people assume. In a 2014 interview with Windy City Times, Ty mentioned that Renee still carries his last name and is still considered family.
"It runs a lot deeper than just doing you a favor," he said. It’s a rare thing in celebrity culture—an ex-spouse who remains a pillar of support even after the romantic relationship dissolves.
Why the Marriage Happened
- The Industry Pressure: In the 90s, you couldn't be a gay country star. It just didn't exist.
- The "Agreement": Ty admitted they went to extremes to make the career work.
- True Friendship: By all accounts, Ty and Renee shared a genuine bond that transcended a typical marriage.
Where is Renee Herndon (Posey) Now?
Life hasn't been a walk in the park for Renee since the divorce. In 2020, reports surfaced through community fundraisers that Renee was battling significant health issues, specifically breast cancer. Friends described her as a "Giver-in-Chief," someone who had spent her life taking care of everyone else—including a country superstar during his darkest hours.
Ty has moved on to a very different chapter. In August 2023, he married Alex Schwartz in a massive, beautiful ceremony in Tennessee. It’s the kind of life he probably couldn't have imagined back in 1993 when he was trying to fit into the "straight leading man" mold of Nashville.
Lessons from the Herndon History
Understanding the story of Ty Herndon's first wife isn't about gossip. It’s about the reality of the 90s country music machine and the human cost of "the closet."
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If you're looking into this because you're a fan or just curious about country music history, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Check the Timeline: Don't confuse his 1993 marriage to Renee with his 2023 marriage to Alex.
- Respect the Privacy: While Ty is public, Renee (now often going by Renee Posey or Nay) lives a private life outside the spotlight.
- Read the Memoir: Ty’s book What Mattered Most, released in early 2026, dives into these relationships with way more nuance than a tabloid ever could.
The reality is that Renee wasn't just a "beard" or a footnote. She was a partner who helped build a foundation that still exists today. Their marriage ended, but the respect seemingly didn't.
To get the full picture of Ty’s journey, you might want to listen to the 2019 re-recording of "What Mattered Most." He changed the lyrics to reflect his true self, but if you listen closely, you can still hear the history of the man who lived through those early marriages.
Next Steps for Readers
- Listen to the Lyrics: Compare the 1995 version of "What Mattered Most" with the 2019 version to see how Ty's perspective on love and honesty has shifted.
- Follow the Foundation: Look into the Foundation for Love & Acceptance, which grew out of the work Ty started decades ago.
- Read the Book: Pick up a copy of Ty's 2026 memoir for his first-hand account of his time with Renee and Linda.