Taylor Swift and Kris Kristofferson's friendship: Pop icon dubbed him 'best role model' before his death

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Pop icon Taylor Swift and Kris Kristofferson shared a special friendship for years before the legendary singer's untimely demise last month. Swift also once dubbed him as the 'best role model', per the Daily Mail.

Kristofferson died at his home in Maui over the weekend at age 88. His family said in a statement, "We’re all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these many years, and when you see a rainbow, know he’s smiling down at us all."

Taylor Swift once dubbed Kris Kristofferson 'best role model'

Swift and Kristofferson's friendship started in 2009 when the late singer presented Swift with one of the many awards she won at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards, per Page Six.

In 2010, their friendship grew stronger as they attended and performed at a benefit concert for Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame in Los Angeles.

The then 20-year-old Swift showed her admiration for Kristofferson and told the audience, including Kristofferson, Lionel Richie, and Vince Gill, "These are the best role models I could have", per a 2010 Los Angeles Times story.

She later had an even more in-depth conversation with Kristofferson backstage where they talked about their songwriting. Kristofferson told her, per a 2010 New York Magazine story, "I just know you are going to have the most wonderful career and most wonderful life."

Swift replied, "I could not ask for a better role model" and Kristofferson said, "Now, who’s the silver-tongued devil?"

Kris Kristofferson said Taylor Swift already in 'Hall of Fame'

The New York Magazine story's author questioned Kristofferson if he felt that Swift could make it into the Nashville Country Music Hall of Fame. The legendary country singer laughed and replied, "She’s already in the Hall of Fame!"

Swift was quite happy with her conversation with Kris and told her mother, "I felt like I was going to pass out! He said so many nice things about my songwriting … I can’t even remember everything he said; I blacked out a little bit."

Their friendship just doesn't end here. Kris' first ever Instagram post back in 2022 was with Swift. It was a picture that was clicked by a Los Angeles Times photographer during the concert in 2010.

The caption read, "No better way to kick off Kris’ official @instagram account than with this picture of him and @taylorswift at the @officialcmhof “All For The Hall” concert benefit in 2010! #HappyValentinesDay // @alschaben / @latimes #taylorswift #kriskristofferson."

Kristofferson's wife stood by his side for 41 years before his death

Kristofferson and Lisa Meyers were married for 41 years and she stood by his side throughout these years till his death. It was Kristofferson's third marriage and he was happy in it, per PEOPLE.

He told NPR in 2013, "I feel nothing but gratitude for being this old and still above ground, living with the people I love. I've got eight kids, and a wife that puts up with everything I do, and keeps me out of trouble."

The pair got married in February 1983 and had five children - Jesse, 40, Jody, 39, Johnny, 36, Kelly, 34, and Blake, 30.

He told PEOPLE, "At the time, I was gun-shy about any relationship heavier than a one-night stand. The road had been my escape, going out and pouring it all into performing. But as my family started getting bigger, it finally beat its way into my consciousness: ‘Wake up, man. This is what really matters.'"