George Strait’s adorable grandkids proudly watched from the audience as he received the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the 58th CMA Awards. As the ninth artist to earn this prestigious honor, George joins a legendary lineup that includes Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Alan Jackson.

Long before he became “The King of Country,” George met and fell in love with his now-wife, Norma. The two were high school sweethearts and married in Mexico on December 4, 1971.

George enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Hawaii. In his free time, he played in a band and developed a passion for music.

Following his honorable discharge in 1975, George returned home to Texas and continued to foster his love for music. His first major label single, “Unwound,” dropped in 1981; the rest is history.

For nearly 53 years, Norma has been by George’s side through the good times and bad. 

The couple welcomed their first child, Jenifer, in 1972. Sadly, Jenifer was killed in a car accident in 1986. She was only 13 years old.

George and Norma’s second child, a son named George “Bubba” Strait Jr., was born in 1981. Bubba is a professional steer roper and songwriter, with writing credits on several of his dad’s most recent albums.

Bubba also has a family of his own. He married his wife, Tamara, in 2010, and they have two children: George “Harvey” Strait III and Jillian.

George Strait’s Grandkids Watch Him Perform & Speak At The 2024 CMA Awards

Although George is a country music icon, his family members live more private lives. It’s rare for fans to see his grandkids at any public events.

That’s why it was a surprise when the cameras cut to the crowd at the 2024 CMA Awards to show Harvey and Jillian. They proudly watched their grandpa perform before he delivered a brief speech upon accepting the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Strait opened his speech by thanking Jesus, saying, “First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

He also thanked his fans and his band before recognizing his manager, road manager, and fiddle player (all three passed away earlier this year). He closed his speech by thanking his family, saying:

“It’s so great to have you all here, especially Norma, who has supported me for just shy of 53 years.”

Norma could be seen tearing up before George shared a final “Thank you” and left the stage. Watch his speech and look out for his grandkids Harvey and Jillian in the video below.

Congratulations to George on his well-deserved honor from the CMA!