Taya Kyle, the widow of the legendary Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, has been through a lot of pain and grief since her husband’s tragic death in 2013. She has also faced legal battles, financial troubles, and media scrutiny over her personal life. But despite all the challenges, she has not given up on love and happiness. In this article, we will explore how Taya Kyle found new love after losing her soulmate, and what she has been doing to honor his legacy and help other military families.
Taya Kyle’s Marriage with Chris Kyle
Taya Kyle met Chris Kyle in 2001 at a bar in San Diego, where he was stationed as a SEAL. They had an instant connection and got married in 2002. They had two children, Colton and McKenna, and settled in Texas. Taya supported Chris through his four deployments to Iraq, where he earned the nickname “American Sniper” for his record-breaking 160 confirmed kills. He also wrote a bestselling memoir of the same name, which was later adapted into a blockbuster movie directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper.
Taya and Chris had a strong and loving marriage, despite the difficulties of being a military spouse. They faced many challenges, such as PTSD, infidelity, alcoholism, and divorce rumors, but they always worked through them together. Taya described Chris as her “best friend” and “the love of her life”. She said he was a devoted husband and father, who always put his family first.
Taya Kyle’s Loss and Grief
On February 2, 2013, Taya’s world was shattered when she received a phone call that Chris had been shot and killed at a shooting range in Texas by a former Marine named Eddie Ray Routh. He was also accompanied by his friend Chad Littlefield, who was also killed by Routh. Routh was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Taya was devastated by the loss of her husband, who was only 38 years old. She said she felt like she had died with him, and that she had no purpose or direction in life. She struggled with depression, anxiety, anger, and guilt. She also had to deal with the media attention, the legal issues, and the financial problems that followed Chris’s death. She said she felt alone and hopeless.
Taya said she relied on her faith in God to cope with her grief. She also found comfort in her children, who reminded her of Chris. She said she tried to be strong for them and to keep Chris’s memory alive for them. She also received support from her family, friends, and the military community.
Taya Kyle’s New Love
Taya Kyle did not remarry after Chris’s death. She said she still loved him and considered herself his wife. She said he had told her to find love again if he did not come back from war, but she could not imagine being with anyone else. She said she did not want to replace him or betray him.
However, Taya did not close her heart to love completely. She said she was open to finding new love if God had someone for her. She said she believed that Chris would want her to be happy and that he would approve of anyone who treated her well.
In 2018, Taya revealed that she had found new love with a man named Jim DeFelice. He is a military veteran and an author who co-wrote Taya’s autobiography “American Wife: A Memoir of Love, War, Faith, and Renewal”. They met through their mutual publisher HarperCollins and became friends. They later developed romantic feelings for each other and started dating.
Taya said Jim was a kind, respectful, and supportive partner who understood her situation and respected her relationship with Chris. She said Jim did not try to compete with Chris or change her. He accepted her for who she was and loved her unconditionally. She said Jim made her laugh and smile again.
Taya said she was grateful for Jim’s presence in her life and that he brought joy and peace to her heart. She said he was a blessing from God and that she believed Chris had a hand in bringing them together. She said she still loved Chris but that she also loved Jim. She said she did not have to choose between them or feel guilty about loving them both.
Taya Kyle’s Mission and Legacy
Taya Kyle did not let her loss define her or stop her from living a meaningful life. She used her pain as a motivation to help others who were going through similar struggles. She became an activist for military veterans and their families. She founded the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation in 2014 to provide programs and services that enrich family relationships among service members and first responders. She also became a speaker, an author, a political commentator, and a Fox News contributor. She shared her story of love, loss, faith, and renewal with millions of people around the world.
Taya Kyle also continued to honor Chris’s legacy and to keep his spirit alive. She was involved in the making of the movie “American Sniper”, which was nominated for six Academy Awards and became the highest-grossing war film of all time. She also wrote a foreword for the book “American Spirit: Profiles in Resilience, Courage, and Faith”, which featured stories of ordinary Americans who overcame extraordinary challenges. She also supported various causes and organizations that Chris cared about, such as veterans’ health, gun rights, and patriotism.
Taya Kyle is an inspiration to many people who have faced loss and adversity in their lives. She is a testament to the power of love, faith, and resilience. She is a proud American wife, a loving mother, a courageous widow, and a remarkable woman. She is Taya Kyle.