Alan Jackson’s Three Daughters: Mattie, Alexandra, and Dani — The Country Legend’s Greatest Treasures
NASHVILLE — Alan Jackson has long been celebrated for his timeless songs and authentic storytelling, but away from the stage, the country icon’s proudest role has always been that of a father. With wife Denise, his high school sweetheart whom he married in 1979, Jackson raised three daughters — Mattie Denise, Alexandra Jane, and Dani Grace — each carving their own path while remaining deeply tied to their family’s roots.
The Jacksons welcomed their first child, Mattie, in June 1990. Three years later, Alexandra (known as Ali) was born in August 1993, followed by the youngest, Dani, in August 1997. For Alan, their arrival was life-changing. “They’re good kids, and they’re smart, and they make good choices,” he said in a 2009 interview. “My girls are very sweet; I’m very proud of all of them.”
In 2021, Jackson dedicated one of his most tender songs, “You’ll Always Be My Baby,” to his daughters, a ballad that doubled as both a gift of love and a father’s farewell blessing as he watched them step fully into adulthood. The accompanying lyric video featured a touching montage of family photos, underscoring how central his girls have always been to his life and music.
Mattie Denise Jackson, 34
The eldest of the three, Mattie has walked a path marked by both joy and profound loss. After studying creative writing at the University of Tennessee, she married Assistant District Attorney Ben Selecman in 2017. Their love story was cut short when Selecman tragically died in a boating accident just before their first anniversary. “We were still in the honeymoon phase of our life,” Mattie recalled.
In the wake of grief, she turned to writing as healing, penning Lemons on Friday, a memoir of loss and faith. She also founded NaSHEville, a philanthropic brand supporting orphans, widows, and trafficked women, and hosts the podcast She’s in the City. Passionate about wine, she once owned a Nashville wine bar and is a certified sommelier.
Life brought joy again when she married Connor Smith in May 2023. A year later, they welcomed their first son, Wesley Alan Smith, on June 20, 2024 — his name honoring both family legacies, including Alan himself.
Alexandra Jane “Ali” Jackson Bradshaw, 30
Known for her warmth and elegance, Ali married Sam Bradshaw in 2020 in a wedding that blended outdoor charm with sophisticated style. Their love story soon grew into parenthood; in December 2022, Ali gave birth to their son, Jackson “Jack” Alvie Bradshaw, making Alan and Denise grandparents for the first time — coincidentally on their own 43rd wedding anniversary.
Ali, who once joined her father on stage to sing “You’ll Always Be My Baby,” continues to share a close bond with her sisters. Though she keeps her private life largely away from public view, her family often shares glimpses of her life as a mother and devoted sister.
Dani Grace Jackson, 26
The youngest of the Jackson daughters, Dani has grown up largely out of the spotlight, but her presence in the family is cherished. Fans may remember her childhood cameo alongside her sisters in Alan’s early 2000s music video for Drive. While her Instagram remains private, her sister Mattie frequently highlights her kindness, generosity, and big-hearted spirit in birthday tributes.
Despite her quiet profile, Dani is deeply woven into the family fabric. Her sisters describe her as a loyal companion and part of their strongest support system during life’s toughest seasons.
A Father’s Legacy Beyond Music
For Alan Jackson, who continues to face health struggles while maintaining his presence in country music, fatherhood has remained his proudest achievement. The bond between Alan and his daughters — strengthened through both triumphs and heartbreaks — is a testament to the values he and Denise instilled: faith, resilience, and family above all else.
From Mattie’s perseverance through tragedy, to Ali’s grace as a wife and mother, to Dani’s quiet strength, Alan Jackson’s daughters embody the very stories he has spent his life singing about — love, loss, hope, and home. And in them, the legendary singer finds his most enduring legacy.