Have you ever wondered what really happened between Craig Schelske and Sara Evans? Many people know Sara Evans because of her country music. But fewer people know the story of the man who was by her side for many years.
Craig Schelske became known because of his marriage to Sara Evans. Still, his life is about more than that. He worked in politics. He loved music. He also tried to build a good life for his family.
Their story began long before fame. It started with two young people who shared big dreams. Later, their marriage became one of the most talked about stories in country music.
In this article, you will learn about Craig Schelske, his early life, his work, how he met Sara Evans, and the family they built together. We will also see how life slowly changed before their marriage reached a hard time.
Who Is Craig Schelske?
Craig Schelske is an American. He worked in politics for many years. He also enjoys music. Today, most people know him as Sara Evans’ former husband.
Many people first heard his name during his divorce. Since then, readers have wanted to know more about his own life. They want to know who he is beyond the news stories.
Craig never became famous because of music or movies. He lived a quiet life for many years. Then his marriage brought him into the public eye. Since then, many people have searched for Craig Schelske online.
Craig Schelske’s Early Life
Craig Schelske was born on May 29, 1963, in Jefferson, Oregon, USA. As of 2026, he is 63 years old. He grew up in a small town with a quiet way of life.
Very little is known about his parents. He has always kept his family life private. Because of this, there are only a few public facts about his childhood.
Even as a young man, Craig had many interests. He liked music. He also liked public service. Those interests stayed with him as he grew older.
Like many people, he started with simple goals. He worked hard and looked for new chances. Years later, those choices shaped the path of his life.
Craig Schelske’s Career Before Fame
Before he became well known, Craig worked in politics. During the 1990s, he served as a legislative aide in the Oregon State Legislature. This job helped him learn how government works.
In 2002, Craig Schelske ran in the Republican primary for Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District. He did not win the race. Even so, he showed that he wanted to serve his community.
Politics was only part of his story. Craig also loved music. He spent time writing songs and playing music whenever he could.
Music stayed with him through many parts of life. It was not just a hobby. It became one of the things he cared about most.
How Craig Schelske Met Sara Evans
Every family story starts somewhere. For Craig Schelske and Sara Evans, it started in Nashville, Tennessee.
They met while working at a Holiday Inn. At that time, neither of them was famous. They were working regular jobs and hoping for a better future.
They became friends first. Soon, they spent more time together. Their friendship slowly turned into love.
Many couples meet after success. Craig and Sara met before fame. They knew each other during simple times. That made the start of their story special.
Craig Schelske and Sara Evans’ Marriage
Craig Schelske and Sara Evans were married on September 25, 1993. They began their new life with hope and big dreams. Like many young couples, they wanted to build a happy home.
In the early years, life was simple. Sara worked hard to build her music career. Craig supported her while also following his own goals.
As Sara became more successful, life became much busier. Concerts, travel, and interviews took more of her time. Their family also had to adjust to a new way of living.
Even with these changes, they stayed together for many years. They built a home, shared many memories, and welcomed children into their family.
Craig Schelske and Sara Evans’ Family Life
Family was a big part of Craig Schelske’s life. He and Sara Evans became the parents of three children. They worked together to raise their family.
Their first child, Avery Jack Schelske, was born on August 21, 1999. Avery later found his own love for music. He has worked on building his own music career.
Their second child, Olivia Margaret Schelske, was born on January 22, 2003. She also enjoys music. She has shared her own songs with fans.
Their youngest child, Audrey Elizabeth Schelske, was born on October 6, 2004. She enjoys social media, acting, and creating online videos.
Like many parents, Craig and Sara wanted their children to have a good life. They shared birthdays, holidays, school events, and many happy family moments together.
Why Craig Schelske and Sara Evans’ Marriage Changed
No marriage stays the same forever. As the years passed, life became harder for Craig Schelske and Sara Evans.
Sara’s music career kept growing. She spent more time on the road. She also had many interviews, concerts, and public events. Family life became much busier.
Busy lives can bring stress to any family. Small problems can become bigger over time. That is what seemed to happen in their marriage.
Slowly, the distance between them grew. Their private problems became harder to fix. Before long, their marriage reached a very difficult point.
The next part of their story would become national news. It would include a public divorce, court hearings, and a long legal battle that people still talk about today.
Craig Schelske and Sara Evans’ Public Divorce
After many years together, Craig Schelske and Sara Evans reached a turning point. In October 2006, Sara filed for divorce. The news surprised many fans because the couple had seemed happy from the outside.
The timing made even bigger news. On the same day, Sara left Dancing with the Stars. She said she wanted to focus on her family during a very hard time.
The divorce quickly became a public story. Newspapers, TV shows, and websites covered the case every day. Many people wanted to know what had happened inside the marriage.
Craig Schelske’s Court Battle With Sara Evans
The divorce did not end quickly. Instead, it became a long court battle. Both Craig Schelske and Sara Evans made serious claims during the case.
Sara accused Craig of adultery and using pornography. Craig denied those claims. Later, he also made claims about Sara. Both sides strongly defended themselves. The case became one of the biggest celebrity divorce stories of that time.
During one early court hearing, Craig asked to return to the family home. His lawyer said there was no reason to keep him away. The judge decided the couple should live in separate homes to reduce stress for their children.
The court also discussed the children. Craig’s lawyer said he had not seen them since the divorce filing and had spoken with them only once. Both parents later worked on visitation plans.
The couple agreed to split a joint bank account with about $274,000. Craig planned to use part of that money to find another place to live. Both sides also agreed not to speak with the media, even though reporters were allowed inside the courtroom.
At the end of one hearing, Craig quietly walked over to Sara and tried to speak with her. She did not answer and turned away. Outside the courthouse, a reporter asked Craig if he still loved Sara. He simply replied, “I do.” Sara chose not to answer the same question.
The case also included claims about the family’s former nanny. Sara claimed there had been an affair. The nanny denied the claim. Her lawyer also denied it. These claims were disputed and were never established as proven facts in court.
Craig Schelske’s Life After the Divorce
The divorce became final on September 28, 2007. After that, both Craig Schelske and Sara Evans started new chapters in their lives.
Sara received primary custody of their three children. Craig received visitation rights. The divorce also included financial agreements. Sara agreed to pay Craig $600,000 in alimony over ten years. The couple also divided their property.
After the divorce, Craig stepped away from public attention. He chose a quieter life. He spent more time doing the things he enjoyed most.
Music became an important part of his life again. He performed with local bands and continued to enjoy writing and playing music. Reports also said he spent time working on his personal well-being after the difficult divorce.
Where Is Craig Schelske Today in 2026?
Many people still search for Craig Schelske today. They want to know where he lives and what he is doing now.
As of 2026, Craig keeps a very private life. He does not often appear in the news. He also stays away from social media and public events.
He still enjoys music and lives a much quieter life than before. While many people remember him because of the divorce, he seems to prefer peace over public attention today.
His story shows that life can change in many ways. A person can leave the spotlight and still find happiness in simple things.
Sara Evans’ Life After Craig Schelske
Sara Evans also moved forward after the divorce. She continued making music and stayed one of the best-known names in country music.
In 2008, she married former football player Jay Barker. Together, they built a blended family and focused on raising their children.
Sara continued to release new music and perform for fans. Over the years, she remained active in the country music world. Like Craig, she also worked to build a new life after a very public divorce.
Final Thoughts
Craig Schelske’s story is about much more than one marriage. He worked in politics, loved music, and spent many years raising a family. His life changed when he married Sara Evans, but it did not stop after the divorce.
The marriage brought many happy memories. It also brought hard times. Their divorce became national news because both sides made serious claims. Even so, both Craig and Sara eventually moved forward with their lives.
Today, Craig Schelske lives a much quieter life than before. He stays close to music and enjoys his privacy. Sara Evans continues her successful music career. Both have taken different paths since their marriage ended.
Their story reminds us that life is not always easy. Good times and hard times can both shape a person. In the end, people can learn, grow, and begin again. That is one of the biggest lessons from the story of Craig Schelske and Sara Evans’ marriage.
(FAQs)
What is Craig Schelske’s net worth?
Craig Schelske’s exact net worth is not public. He received $600,000 in alimony after his divorce from Sara Evans. He also received two homes in Oregon.
What political party is Craig Schelske in?
Craig Schelske is a Republican. He ran in the Republican primary for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District in 2002.
Why did Craig Schelske and Sara Evans get divorced?
Sara Evans filed for divorce in 2006. Both Craig and Sara made serious claims during the case. Craig denied the claims against him. Their divorce became final in 2007.
Is Craig Schelske still alive?
Yes. As of 2026, Craig Schelske is still alive. He lives a private life and stays away from the public eye.
Where is Craig Schelske today in 2026?
As of 2026, Craig Schelske lives a quiet life in the United States. He enjoys music, stays out of the news, and spends most of his time away from public attention.
