Walker Hayes Nearly Breaks Sobriety After Daughter's Death

Country singer Walker Hayes shared the painful experience of nearly losing his sobriety after the death of his seventh child, daughter Oakleigh, who died shortly after birth in June 2018. At the time, Hayes had been sober for two and a half years but drove to a bar intending to drink and start a fight, only to realize he had forgotten his wallet and returned home. Seeing his wife alone on the day she buried their daughter helped Hayes recognize the destructive path he was about to take, leading him to seek redemption and acknowledge his need for a savior. Hayes credits his faith and a close friendship with a man named Craig for helping him maintain his sobriety, even recalling his past struggles with alcoholism and skepticism toward religion. Despite the overwhelming grief and challenges, including his wife’s life-threatening uterine rupture during childbirth, Hayes has remained open about his journey through loss and recovery. The couple continues to raise their six other children while sharing their story of grace, faith, and perseverance.