Brett Kissel Divorce: Why He Split With Wife Cecilia

Sharing your life with someone for nearly 15 years makes the decision to separate anything but simple. Canadian country singer Brett Kissel and his wife Cecilia announced their divorce in late 2024 (Country Now (Canadian country music publication)), putting a private story in the public eye. This article sorts what’s confirmed—four number-one hits, a four-album project, four children—from what remains unclear about their split and what comes next.

Years active: 2012–present · Number-one hits (Canadian country chart): 4 · Years married: 2015–2024 · Children: 4 · Notable award: Juno Award (2015)

Seven details that define Brett Kissel’s public profile—one pattern: a career forged in Alberta and Nashville now intersecting with a very personal life change.

The implication: these facts form the public shell of a private story now redrawn by divorce.

Is Brett Kissel still married?

No. Brett Kissel and Cecilia Kissel publicly announced the end of their marriage in a joint Instagram post in December 2024 (Instagram (official social media post)). The couple stated they had been quietly separated for a year and a half before the announcement and emphasized that the decision was mutual.

Why did Brett Kissel and his wife split up?

The exact reasons have not been detailed publicly. In their joint statement, the couple said they “no longer felt suited to be married to one another” and that they came to the decision after careful reflection (Country Now (Canadian country music publication)). No third-party involvement or specific incident has been reported.

The couple also asked for respect and privacy, noting that their focus remains on raising their four children. “We will remain friends moving forward,” the statement read (iHeart (Bobby Bones show coverage)).

Brett Kissel and wife Cecilia announce divorce after 15 years

The divorce became public on December 23, 2025 (the date of the statement being reported by Country Now and iHeart). The couple said they had been separated for 18 months prior to the announcement, meaning the separation began roughly mid-2023.

• The joint message was posted on both Brett and Cecilia’s Instagram accounts (Instagram (official social media post)).
• They described the decision as difficult and not taken lightly: “We want nothing but the best for each other” (iHeart (Bobby Bones show coverage)).
• Both expressed a commitment to co-parenting their four children.

The implication: The divorce timeline overlaps with the period when Kissel was planning and releasing his four-album series, suggesting a professional pivot that may pre-date the public announcement.

What happened to Brett Kissel’s children?

Brett and Cecilia Kissel have four children: Mila (age 9), Aria (age 8), Leo (age 6), and Atlas (age 3) (Country Now (Canadian country music publication)). The divorce statement indicated that both parents intend to remain equally involved in the children’s lives, but no details about custody, schooling, or living arrangements have been released.

Publicly, the family previously resided in Nashville, Tennessee, and more recently returned to Alberta to live on Kissel’s family farm (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).

What is Brett Kissel’s most famous song?

Kissel’s most streamed song is “Make a Life, Not a Living”, which reached number one on the Canadian country chart in 2018 (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)). The track also appeared on the album Now or Never. Other notable hits include “Drink About Me” and “A Few Good Stories”.

His latest single at the time of the divorce announcement was “Farmer”, featuring Lee Brice, released in 2025 (Country Now (Canadian country music publication)).

Is Brett Kissel related to Morgan Wallen?

No. Brett Kissel and Morgan Wallen are not related. Both are country music artists, but Kissel is Canadian and Wallen is American. They have no known family ties (Wikipedia (collaborative encyclopedia)).

The confusion may stem from both singers being in the same genre and occasionally sharing tour lineups. Kissel himself has not publicly discussed any relationship with Wallen.

“We have decided to end our marriage. This was not an easy decision, but we believe it is the right one for both of us.”

Brett Kissel, via joint Instagram statement, reported by Country Now (Canadian country music publication)

“Our kids are our number one priority. We ask for privacy as we navigate this new chapter.”

Cecilia Kissel, same joint statement, reported by iHeart (Bobby Bones show coverage)

For Canadian country music fans, the next album cycle will be shadowed by the divorce story—unless Kissel redirects the narrative to his music. The four-album series represents his most ambitious project, and the acoustic tour signals a need for intimacy that aligns with a more personal message. The choice ahead: let the personal upheaval define the next chapter, or let the songs do the talking.

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