Who Is Richard Sterban's Wife, Donna? Inside Their 38-Year Marriage And Family Life Before His Death
Richard Sterban died at the age of 84 on November 14, 2026. He is survived by his wife, Donna Sterban, of 38 years.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleRichard Sterban, the iconic bass singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, has died. The world knows him because he spent decades performing around the world. But only a few know that, beyond the stage, he shared a long marriage with his wife, Donna Sterban. She had a steady presence in his life and mostly stayed out of the spotlight. They were married for nearly 30 years until he died on November 14, 2026.
Who is Richard Sterban's wife, Donna?
Donna Lynn Summers, later known as Donna Sterban, tied the knot with Richard Sterban on September 21, 1988. Initially, they were set to marry in February 1984, but delayed it. The bass singer spent most of his time traveling and performing with The Oak Ridge Boys. Meanwhile, Donna preferred to live a quieter life away from the entertainment industry.
Despite being the wife of a popular singer, she rarely gave any interviews or made any public appearances. Instead, she decided to support her husband behind the scenes. Donna rarely joined her husband at any important music industry events, like ceremonies to celebrate his success.
However, one of their most memorable appearances was at the Country Music Hall of Fame's Class of 2026 Medallion Ceremony. It was held in Nashville on October 18, 2026.
Some news reports claim that the event was the last public appearance of the couple before his death. In fact, the couple rarely shared any details about their courtship or romance.
For those who don't know, Richard and Donna built a blended family together. The pair welcomed two daughters, Victoria Grace, also known as Tori, and Lauren Nicole. Moreover, Donna is also a stepmother to Richard's three sons, Rich, Doug, and Chris.
The bass singer shared them from his first marriage to Sandra Bertha Wilson. It lasted from 1964 to 1981. Later, they welcomed eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In fact, Donna and Richard made their home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. They lived a quiet life there without the constant attention around the singer's career.
How did Richard Sterban die at 83?
Richard Sterban died on November 14, 2026. He took his final breath in Hendersonville, Tennessee, at the age of 83. According to his family, Richard was fighting pancreatic cancer after receiving his diagnosis in March 2025. In turn, he also stepped away from touring with The Oak Ridge Boys in May 2025. The late singer had to make the tough choice to undergo treatment. However, he publicly shared his health battle later that year.
Despite his ill health, Richard made a special appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in January 2026. He returned to perform his signature bass part on the group's hit song Elvira. He also lent vocals to The Oak Ridge Boys' October 2026 album, Buried Treasures.
Rest in peace, Richard Sterban. We share our heartfelt condolences to his family in this difficult time.
Pic credits: Facebook, Hello Magazine, X
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