A young Reba McEntire. Photo: The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty

Happy Birthday, Reba McEntire!

The country queen turns 69 years old on March 28, 2024, and to celebrate, we’re looking back at some of her best throwback photos.

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Reba McEntire’s Early Years

A young Reba McEntire. Mike Slaughter/Toronto Star via Getty

Reba Nell McEntire was born in McAlester, Oklahoma, to Clark Vincent and Jacqueline Smith McEntire.

Reba’s mother, who once had dreams of becoming a country music singer, taught her four children how to sing and harmonize during family trips.

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Not Her First Rodeo

A young Reba McEntire. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Before making it on the stage, Reba gained some fame for “running barrels” (a rodeo event). So it’s no surprise she also got her big break at the rodeo — she was discovered there by Red Steagall in 1974 when she sang the national anthem.

Reba’s Reach

A young Reba McEntire. Ron Galella/WireImage

The country superstar has now sold more than 56 million albums worldwide and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Award Winner

A young Reba McEntire. The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty

She’s won every music award under the sun, including American Music Awards, ACM Awards, People’s Choice Awards, CMA Awards, Grammys and more.

She’s also recieved the National Artistic Achievement Award from Congress and starred in her own self-titled TV series about a hardworking single mom raising three kids alone after her husband leaves her for his dental hygienist. She’s coming back to television in 2024.

Reba’s Walk of Fame Star

Reba McEntire on the Walk of Fame. Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Her name will forever be cemented in Hollywood after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998.

Reba and Kenny

Reba McEntire and Kenny Rogers. Ron Gallela/Getty

Throughout her illustrious career, Reba’s made some incredibly talented friends along the way.

Here she is posing with the late great Kenny Rogers.

Reba and Dolly

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.

The star got a visit from another country legend, Dolly Parton, after she performed on stage in the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun at the Marquis Theater in 2001.

Reba and Garth

Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks. KMazur/WireImage

Reba joined good friend Garth Brooks backstage at the 29th Annual American Music Awards in 2001 at the Shrine Auditorium in L.A.

Reba, Mandy and Charlotte

Mandy Moore, Reba McEntire and Charlotte Church. Kevin Kane/WireImage

Mandy Moore and Charlotte Church got to snag a shot with Reba back when they were both starting out as young singers.

Reba, Magic and Elizabeth

Reba McEntire, Magic Johnson and Elizabeth Taylor. SGranitz/WireImage

The 67-year-old has iconic friends outside of the music industry as well, including NBA legend Magic Johnson and the late Elizabeth Taylor.

Reba and Diahann

Reba McEntire and Diahann Carroll. Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

You are now looking at two queens: the queen of country and the late TV trailblazer Diahann Carroll.

Reba and Kelly

Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson. Ethan Miller/Getty

In case you didn’t know, Kelly Clarkson was married to Reba’s former stepson, Brandon Blackstock.

Clarkson and McEntire have performed together many times, including the 2007 duet version of Clarkson’s “Because of You.” A year later, the duo hit the road together for a 2008 tour.

Reba at the ACM Awards

Reba McEntire at the ACMs. Rtgwinn/mediapunch/REX/Shutterstock; Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP/REX/Shutterstock

The star, who keeps her decades of incredible fashion housed in special archival storage, brought back her 1993 ACM Awards gown to wear again in 2018 – with minimal changes.

Reba and Celine

Reba McEntire and Celine Dion. The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty

Céline Dion and the star go way back and still have a mutual respect for each other.

In 2013 when a fan asked Reba what she thought about Dion, she responded, “Céline Dion is incredible! One of the best singers in the world!”

I’m Reba!

Reba McEntire in the 1990s. Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Here’s Reba making a guest appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 1992.