Inside Willie Nelson’s Cozy Farm Where He Enjoys Life Cares for Tens of Horses Rescued from Slaughterhouse

Besides being a legendary country musician, Willie Nelson is a caring and loving man living on a Texas ranch. The estate doesn’t only house him and his wife but several animals he once rescued from a slaughterhouse.

In 2019, ABC’s KSAT 12 revealed that Willie Nelson lived far away from the limelight at his almost 700-acre Texas Hill Country ranch. The news station said the iconic star called his estate “Luck” ranch.

It earned that name because Nelson said people felt they were in luck when they were on the property but out of it when they weren’t! The country musician had more than 70 horses roaming the estate.

Willie Nelson in concert during his 4th of July Picnic at Q2 Stadium on July 4, 2022, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images

According to the news station, most animals were rescued before ending up in slaughterhouses. The singer explained that the horses were probably the “luckiest” ones in the world, stating:

“They get hand-fed twice a day, and they were just ready to go to slaughter is probably the last thing they remembered, so they’re happy horses.”

Willie Nelson at a rally to support voting rights at the Texas State Capitol on July 31, 2021, in Austin, Texas | Source: Getty Images

In 2021, the Country Music Hall of Fame member wrote an open letter hoping to bring light to the plight of horses living in the wild. He asked for legislative action to ensure the animals were protected.

The Texas Ranch Where Willie’s Horses Roam Free

In 2019, KSAT 12 visited Nelson on his ranch to see the horses that remained at the estate. The Farm Aid co-founder had been rescuing horses for years and allowed them to live freely like in the wild.

Willie Nelson’s ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on March 25, 2019 | Source: YouTube/KSAT 12

During the tour, the musicians’ fans saw glimpses of his Texan ranch. The land appeared to have plenty of grounds, grass for the animals to feed on, and what looked like a stable made of wood.

Willie Nelson’s ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on March 25, 2019 | Source: YouTube/KSAT 12

Nelson didn’t just rescue the horses but seemed to hold genuine affection for them as he petted and fed one of the animals’ grass through a wooden fence. It was as if the horse knew the lengths the star had taken to save it and yielded to his loving touch.

Willie Nelson shooting images on his ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on November 1, 2012 | Source: YouTube/Austin Fit Magazine

Inside his home, the singer served his interviewer and the crew some coffee in his kitchen. The news station’s interviewer noted how Nelson was always a gracious host who offered them refreshments whenever they visited.

Willie Nelson’s ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on March 25, 2019 | Source: YouTube/KSAT 12

The musician’s kitchen looked cozy and straightforward, with none of the frills evident with other Hollywood stars. An autographed photo of Nelson with two other people was visible in one shot, and other pictures littered the space.

Willie Nelson shooting images on his ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on November 1, 2012 | Source: YouTube/Austin Fit Magazine

Part of the interview was conducted in what appeared to be a sitting area next to the kitchen. It had several wooden chairs and a table where Nelson sat with his interviewer.

Willie Nelson’s ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on March 25, 2019 | Source: YouTube/KSAT 12

The walls were painted a grayish green, while the flooring was made from light brown wooden panels. The artist showed off more of his Tennessee ranch during a 2012 Austin Fit Magazine cover story interview.

Willie Nelson shooting images on his ranch in Hill Country, Texas, on November 1, 2012 | Source: YouTube/Austin Fit Magazine

Fans could see more of the buildings on the property, and Nelson revealed how fit he was by riding a bicycle on his property. The star also shared how he grew fruit and vegetables on his land and reared chickens.

In one shot, he sat at a table outside with a variety of fresh produce. Another image the publication took showed the singer sitting in a pew arranged in what looked like a wooden church.

The star also had a watering hole or a dam on the estate. In 2022, the country music singer was already close to age 90, and the reason he lived that long had a lot to do with his lifestyle.

Willie’s Reason for How He’d Lived So Long

In February 2021, Nelson was 87 years old and two months shy of reaching 88. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the singer explained his simple secret to longevity, saying:

“If you want to live a long time, you have to take care of yourself.”

The country music icon added, “You have to pay for the day, every day.” He noted how if something weren’t used, it would be lost, suggesting to his fans that they get comfortable with moving around.

[Willie] Nelson revealed that he and his wife, Annie D’Angelo, had welcomed all three [Renee, Noelle, and Jordan] especially their great-granddaughter [Jordan].

The “Always on My Mind” vocalist shared how he went for a walk, jogged, or did some daily situps. Nelson described the activities as his little way of paying something back for the day he was given!

While speaking to Parade in 2021, Nelson was asked if he ever thought of retiring or if making music was what kept him going. The legendary musician’s response was clear and precise, with him stating:

“Music is what I do, and retiring is something that I don’t even want to think about.”

Willie’s Large Family Made up of Many Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren

One thing Nelson, who turned 89 in April 2022, cherished more than his music was his family. Through three marriages, the singer welcomed five daughters, Lana, Susie, Paula, Amy Lee, and Renee, and three sons, Willie “Billy” Jr., Lukas, and Micah!

Sadly, Billy passed away in 1991, and shortly before his death, he recorded a duet with his father titled “My Body’s Just a Suitcase for My Soul.” Nelson enjoyed being with his children so much that he featured some of them in his songs.

The singer’s autobiography, “Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die,” revealed he found out about Renee in 2012. He explained how he’d lost touch with Mary Haney, an old and dear friend, but when they reconnected decades later, she told him about their daughter!

The star also discovered that Renee had a daughter named Noelle with another daughter called Jordan. Nelson revealed that he and his wife, Annie D’Angelo, had welcomed all three, especially their great-granddaughter.

According to Nicki Swift, in August 2021,

Nelson

had

five grandchildren

and four great-grandchildren! On his social media pages, the famous country musician frequently shared photos of his large family, showing how bonded he was.