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While Taylor Swift celebrated her marriage to Travis Kelce on Friday, July 3, the singer was facing a devastating heartbreak behind the scenes.
The 36-year-old star's favorite teacher, who later became her security guard, tragically died on Swift's wedding day, following a battle with cancer.
Kirk Schwabe, who taught Swift criminal justice at Hendersonville High School in Nashville from 2004 to 2006, when she was in her mid-teens, was the singer's favorite teacher.
He began his career as a police officer in Chicago before he became a criminal justice educator, later going on to join Swift's team as her security guard.
Schwabe sadly died from metastatic kidney cancer aged 69 on Friday - the same day Swift walked down the aisle - his family confirmed to The Telegraph.
His daughter, Sarah Gordon, had revealed on Thurday that Schwabe had been moved to hospice care after his condition had "declined rapidly".
She wrote on Facebook on Thursday: "Over the past several weeks, his health has declined rapidly and he has now been moved to hospice care.
"If you know my dad, you know he has poured his heart into everything he’s done. He has always loved teaching. He loves his students."
Gordon also shared a photo of her dad with Swift, holding a framed record plaque for her 2006 self-titled album.
Before his death, Schwabe gave Swift his blessing for her union with Kelce, believing that she had found the right partner in the NFL star.
He told the Telegraph in an interview published on July 2: "I do trust Taylor’s judgment. She knows what’s best."
Schwabe also recalled telling Swift that her life ws set to change as she began to find fame, recalling: "I told her, you’re a superstar. This is not fun and games no more. You are it. Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky’s the limit for you."
He also admitted feeling "panic" when he realized her fame was going stratospheric while working security for her, adding: "If anything happens, I’m the guy.
"We got four or five hundred people in here, and I got some extra security guards, but I don’t know a lot of these guys who got hired, I don’t know what their qualifications are."
His wife, Jane, revealed the close bond he developed with Swift, explaining: "He treated her like he did his daughters."
While Schwabe eventually left his security role after becoming burned out, the pair maintained a great friendship, and when Swift made a cameo in the 2010 film Valentine's Day, her character's teacher was named Mr. Schwabe in honor of him.
Swift and Kelce tied the knot on Friday at Madison Square Garden, in front of 1,000 guests, including several A-list stars.
While Schwabe did not make it to see the wedding, his family revealed to the outlet that he remained proud of Swift and was happy for her and Kelce.
Swift’s aunt, Robin Gentry, revealed some details about the joyous occasion, saying the couple "cried and they laughed and they danced and they hugged and they kissed," while guests were treated to "lots" of food and cake.
Adam Sandler officiated the ceremony, while The Beatles' star Paul McCartney played 'I Want To Hold Your Hand', and Fleetwood Mac singer Stevie Nicks also took to the stage.
The newlyweds announced their union to fans outside as giant screens showed the message 'JUST&T MARRIED', with the T&T referencing their first initials.
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Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have announced that they are engaged.
The 35-year-old singer and the 35-year-old Kansas City Chiefs tight end shared the news on Tuesday (August 26) in a joint Instagram post, which read: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married."
In the first picture, Kelce is shown on bended knee below Swift, who is donning a striped dress and standing under an elaborate floral arch. A later photo shows the 'Love Story' singer sporting a large ring.
The happy news follows the couple's two-year relationship, which began in July 2023, during the early months of Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour.
At the time, the NFL star revealed on his New Heights podcast that he had tried, and failed, to pass along his phone number to Swift on a friendship bracelet, a fan-favorite accessory at her shows.
“I was disappointed that she doesn’t talk before or after her shows because she has to save her voice for the 44 songs she sings,” Kelce told his brother, Jason, on the podcast.
“If you’re up on Taylor Swift concerts, there are friendship bracelets and I had received a bunch of them, but I wanted to give Taylor Swift one with my number on it," he added.
The bold admission caught Swift’s attention, and the pair soon connected privately. By September 2023, they had made their relationship public when 'Cruel Summer' superstar artist was spotted cheering from a suite at Arrowhead Stadium as the Chiefs faced off against the Chicago Bears.
Since then, the couple has become a fixture in both sports and entertainment headlines, with Swift regularly attending Chiefs games and Kelce traveling internationally to support her tour.
Congratulations to Swift and Kelce!
Taylor Swift reportedly made a "panicked" phone call to Travis Kelce after she received news about the Kansas City parade shooting, before comforting Brittany Mahomes.
The shooting occurred at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, on Wednesday, February 14, despite the significant presence of over 800 police officers. The attack, orchestrated by three assailants, left 22 people injured and resulted in the death of local DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan.
According to reports from Sky News, two of the three suspects in custody are juveniles who are currently being questioned about their alleged involvement in the shooting.
Kelce and his Kansas City Chiefs teammates were unharmed in the incident, and Swift is currently touring Australia.
Currently touring Australia, Swift was reportedly deeply shaken by the incident, which occurred just hours after she arrived in the country.
Swift, who is on the Australian leg of her Eras World Tour, made the call to Kelce at approximately 6:00AM Melbourne time, shortly after gunfire erupted on the west side of Union Station.
Sources reveal that she also sought solace in her friendship with Brittany Mahomes, wife of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, as they grappled with the aftermath of the tragedy.
A source close to Swift shared with the Daily Mail: "Taylor was extremely worried when she heard of the shooting, as expected. She got on the phone with Travis right away and was so incredibly relieved to hear his voice. She spoke to Brittany too and they were shaken up by this tragedy."
In response to the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was launched to provide financial support to Lopez-Galvan's family. The fundraiser, aimed at reaching $75,000, gained overwhelming support, especially following Swift's generous donation.
The singer contributed two donations of $50,000 each to the fundraiser. Alongside her donations, she expressed her deepest sympathies and condolences, stating: "Sending my deepest sympathies and condolences in the wake of your devastating loss. With love, Taylor Swift."
"She was heartbroken to hear of the death and she hopes her donation helps," the insider added. "She has so much love for the Kansas City community and is sending all her love and support."
Kelce, also deeply affected by the violence, tweeted his heartbreak over the incident. However, he continued to celebrate his Super Bowl success with his Chiefs teammates, including a meal at a local restaurant.
President Joe Biden released a statement urging action on gun control, stating that for such an attack to occur during a Super Bowl parade "cuts deep in the American soul," as cited by The Guardian.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reportedly set to marry during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with several major outlets claiming the couple will tie the knot in New York City after announcing their engagement in August 2025.
The singer shared the engagement news with the caption: “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married.” The couple were first linked romantically in July 2023 while Swift was on her record-breaking Eras Tour, although Kelce had previously spoken about trying to get her attention before they officially began dating.
Their relationship became public after Swift attended a Kansas City Chiefs game alongside Kelce's mother. Since then, they have regularly supported one another at football games, concerts, and award shows, becoming one of the world's most talked-about celebrity couples.
While Swift and Kelce have kept their wedding plans private, multiple major outlets have reported that the ceremony is expected to take place in New York City during the holiday weekend, with reports stating it is scheduled for July 3.
According to those reports, the couple have privately secured Madison Square Garden as their venue. Speculation increased after permits were reportedly submitted for nearby street closures, hotel accommodations were reportedly reserved for NFL guests, and city officials confirmed that a large private event is scheduled to take place at the venue over the holiday weekend.
Not all of Kelce's former partners have been critical following his relationship with Swift.
Influencer Kayla Nicole dated the Chiefs star for around five years before the pair split in 2022. During an Instagram Q&A, Nicole wrote: “People are sometimes only meant to be part of your life for a season.
“Give yourself time and permission to grieve because losing a bond can be heartbreaking.”
Another former partner, Maya Benberry, who met Kelce on the 2016 reality dating series Catching Kelce, offered a much harsher opinion after news of the engagement.
Speaking with the Daily Mail, Benberry accused Kelce of being a “cheating narcissist” and said she did not believe he would change.
Addressing Swift directly, she warned: “Only time will tell, but like the saying always goes, once a cheater, always a cheater.
“Taylor seems like such a fun girl with a beautiful spirit, so I wish her the best of luck, but I wouldn’t be a girls’ girl if I didn’t advise her to be smart!”
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are already married, according to reports, that is despite the couple’s marriage ceremony set for later today.
The couple are expected to host a lavish celebration at Madison Square Garden on Friday, with more than 1,000 guests in attendance, following an intimate rehearsal dinner for around 100 people the night before.
However, insiders claim the pair have already tied the knot in a private ceremony attended by only a small group of family and close friends.
One source told Page Six: "They are already married."
A music industry insider based in Nashville also claimed there's widespread speculation in the city that the pair have "already got legally married."
Neither Swift nor Kelce has publicly confirmed the reports.
Although New York marriage licenses are sealed, the publication previously reported that security sources at Manhattan's City Clerk's Office claimed there had been no sign of a marriage license issued to Swift in recent days, adding: "We would know."
Under New York law, a marriage license costs $35 and remains valid for 60 days after it's issued, with a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before a legal ceremony can take place unless a judicial waiver is granted.
Another insider suggested the couple may have quietly exchanged vows in Tennessee, where Swift relocated as a teenager to pursue her music career.
The speculation intensified after flight tracking data appeared to show Swift's private jet making several stops on Sunday in locations linked to close family members.
The aircraft reportedly departed Nashville before landing in Philadelphia, where Kelce's father, Ed, lives. Pennsylvania is also home to his brother, Jason Kelce, and sister-in-law, Kylie Kelce.
The jet then reportedly travelled to Tampa, where Swift's father, Scott Swift, lives, before returning to Nashville. It remained there until June 30, when it flew back to New York City.
Meanwhile, preparations are well underway at Madison Square Garden ahead of the couple's highly anticipated celebration. The iconic venue has reportedly been transformed with elaborate décor, including a garden installation, while performances are expected from celebrity friends including Stevie Nicks and Kenny Chesney.
Singer Ed Sheeran has also been rumoured to be performing, while Sir Paul McCartney is believed to be among the guests.
The reception is also expected to feature food from some of Swift's favourite restaurants, including Sartiano's.
Reports have also claimed that Swift and Kelce have donated $26 million to charity ahead of their wedding celebrations, though neither has publicly commented on the claim.
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