Kris Kristofferson’s third wife Lisa Meyers fought to uncover his Lyme disease after series of misdiagnoses

MAUI, HAWAII: What began as a casual encounter at a gym blossomed into a love story that spanned decades between country music icon Kris Kristofferson and his third wife, Lisa Meyers.

Their bond, forged during a time when Kristofferson was navigating the aftermath of a second divorce and the challenges of raising a daughter, not only endured the tests of time but became a testament to the power of love, resilience, and determination.

Meyers, a law student at the time, would later become a steadfast partner in both life and health, particularly when her husband faced a dire misdiagnosis that threatened his life, as per PEOPLE.

Kris Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers met in the 80s in Malibu

The couple first crossed paths in the early 1980s at a gym in Malibu, California. Kristofferson, already a major Hollywood and country music star, was dealing with the breakup of his second marriage to singer Rita Coolidge.

He was also focused on raising his daughter, as he shared during an interview with The Irish Independent in 2004.

"We met at the gymnasium, and we were looking at each other, and I borrowed a piece of equipment off her," the singer reminisced.

This simple interaction would be the beginning of a deep relationship that neither had anticipated.

At the time, Meyers was a student at Pepperdine University, studying law, while Kristofferson was juggling his career and responsibilities as a single father.

Though he had been through two previous marriages, he quickly realized that his connection with Meyers was different.

They got married in 1983, in an intimate ceremony at the Pepperdine University chapel, and together they raised five children. This family also included three children from Kristofferson’s earlier marriages, making them a blended and busy household.

Despite the challenges that came with his fame and their growing family, their relationship thrived.

Kristofferson often credited Meyers for being his rock, and she consistently stood by his side through various stages of his career.

"The road had been my escape, going out and pouring it all into performing," he told PEOPLE in a 1998 interview. But as his family grew, he realized how much they meant to him, saying, "Wake up, man. This is what really matters."

Lisa Meyers played crucial role in discovering Kris Kristofferson's Lyme disease diagnosis

In addition to being a supportive spouse, Lisa Meyers played a crucial role in Kris Kristofferson's health journey, especially when he was misdiagnosed with serious conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and Fibromyalgia.

This misdiagnosis could have dramatically altered the course of his life, but Meyers refused to accept it at face value, pushing for more tests and, ultimately, the correct diagnosis.

In an interview with HuffPost in 2016, Meyers opened up about the struggles they had endured with Kristofferson's health.

"About 12 years ago he was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, which looking back, should have been the first indication that a test for Lyme was warranted," she shared.

During those years, Kristofferson had been treated for both Fibromyalgia and Alzheimer's, conditions that severely affected his memory and spatial awareness.

Meyers, who had been his primary caregiver, started to suspect that something else might be wrong.

The breakthrough came after she took her husband to an integrative doctor, who performed further tests, including a spinal tap and functional MRI, which eventually ruled out Alzheimer’s disease.

The true cause of his symptoms was finally identified in 2016: Lyme disease.

The diagnosis was both a relief and a challenge, but Meyers remained optimistic and focused on helping her husband through this new chapter.

"The more we can get Kris to laugh, the healthier he is. Being on the road, the laughter, the music. It’s great medicine," she said at the time.

Lyme disease, caused by bacteria transmitted through the bite of an infected tick, can result in a range of symptoms, including fever, headaches, fatigue, and more severe complications such as joint pain, memory loss, and heart problems if left untreated.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if not diagnosed and treated early, Lyme disease can lead to long-term neurological issues, much like the ones Kristofferson experienced.