Taylor Swift hit with unexpected tragedy as former high school teacher dies on her wedding day
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Singer Taylor Swift’s former criminal justice teacher and one-time security guard, Kirk Schwabe, died on Friday, July 3, at the age of 69 after a battle with metastatic kidney cancer, his family confirmed.
His death came on the same day Swift married Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in a star-studded ceremony at Madison Square Garden. Schwabe’s family recalled that he remained proud of Swift’s success and happy for the couple ahead of the wedding.
Taylor Swift's former teacher remembered by family
Schwabe taught criminal justice at Hendersonville High School in Nashville, where Swift was his student from 2004 to 2006.
Before becoming an educator, he served as a police officer in Chicago and later worked as Swift’s security guard during the early stages of her career.
Schwabe's daughter, Sarah Gordon, revealed in a Facebook post on Thursday, “Over the past several weeks, his health has declined rapidly and he has now been moved to hospice care.” She remembered her father’s lifelong dedication to his work and the people around him.
“If you know my dad, you know he has poured his heart into everything he’s done,” she wrote, adding, “He has always loved law enforcement. He has always loved teaching. He loves his students. He has a gift for making people laugh, bringing every story to life, and making everyone around him feel like they mattered."
She continued, "Whether you know him as Officer Schwabe, Mr Schwabe, or simply as a friend, you probably have a memory of him that has stayed with you.” She also shared a photograph of Swift with her father as the singer held a framed record plaque marking the release of her 2006 self-titled debut album.
Before his death, Schwabe spoke about Swift’s relationship with Kelce in an interview published on July 2. “I do trust Taylor’s judgment. She knows what’s best,” he said, recalling telling Swift that her career was about to change forever.
“I told her, you’re a superstar. This is not fun and games no more. You are it. Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky’s the limit for you,” he said.
Kirk Schwabe was happy for Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce wedding
Reflecting on his time as her security guard, Schwabe admitted he watched Swift’s rise to fame with “panic.”
“If anything happens, I’m the guy,” he said, adding, “We got four or five hundred people in here, and I got some extra security guards, but I don’t know a lot of these guys who got hired, I don’t know what their qualifications are.”
His wife, Jane, added, “He treated her like he did his daughters.”
He eventually left his security role after becoming burned out but remained fond of Swift. When the singer appeared in the 2010 film 'Valentine’s Day,' her character’s teacher was named “Mr Schwabe” in tribute to the educator.
Although Schwabe did not live to see Swift and Kelce marry, his family told The Telegraph that he remained proud of her accomplishments and was happy for both her and Kelce ahead of the ceremony.
Swift and Kelce were married in a ceremony at Madison Square Garden on Friday, officiated by comedian and actor Adam Sandler.
Her aunt, Robin Gentry, described the celebration, revealing that the couple “cried and they laughed and they danced and they hugged and they kissed.”
She also said there was “lots” of food and that guests were served cake.
The celebration included musical performances by Paul McCartney, who performed The Beatles’ 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' for the newlyweds, and Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks, who also took the stage.
