TAYLOR Swift’s wedding heartbreak as her teacher-turned-bodyguard tragically died on the same day she got married to Kansas Chiefs’ star Travis Kelce.
at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday night, July 3.
Taylor Swift’s wedding heartbreak as her teacher-turned-bodyguard tragically died on the same day she got married to Kansas Chiefs’ star Travis Kelce Credit: Facebook/@Sarah Gordon
Taylor, 36, married Travis, also 36, at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Friday night, July 3 Credit: AFP
Travis and Taylor said “I do” in what guests have called a “deeply moving” ceremony just 10 months after the in August 2025.
Their marriage was confirmed with huge purple screens reading “JUST&T MARRIED!” lit up outside of Madison Square Garden, roughly an hour after
However, while the couple were celebrating their wedding, Kirk Schwabe, 69, tragically died of renal cancer on the same day.
Kirk taught Taylor at Henderson High School in Nashville, Tennessee from 2004 until 2006.
Kirk’s wife Janet shared news of his death with The Telegraph, and said he treated Swift “like he did his daughters” Credit: Facebook/@Janet Schwabe
Taylor reportedly walked down the aisle to a strings rendition of one of her own songs Credit: Getty
Taylor and Travis chose to have actor-comedian Adam Sandler officiate the proceedings Credit: Getty
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end popped the question after two years of dating in a private, at-home proposal surrounded by hundreds of flowers Credit: Getty
The pair had a very close bond and when Taylor’s career began to take off in 2009, Kirk left his teaching job to work as her bodyguard.
Kirk’s wife Janet shared news of his death with The Telegraph , and said he treated Swift “like he did his daughters.”
His daughter Sarah added: “My dad had a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued and protected.
“Whether you were family, one of his students or someone like Taylor whose path crossed his, he cared deeply about people.
Their marriage was confirmed with huge purple screens reading “JUST&T MARRIED!” lit up outside of Madison Square Garden Credit: Reuters
Dozens of Taylor, and Travis’ A-list guests flocked to Madison Square Garden well in advance of the wedding Credit: AFP
“That’s the legacy he leaves behind.”
Taylor had a close bond to Kirk and paid tribute to him during a cameo she made in the romantic comedy Valentine’s Day when she named her character’s teacher Mr. Schwabe.
In an interview with The Telegraph ahead of Taylor’s wedding, Kirk recounted how he had once told a young Taylor she was a “superstar,” warning her, “This is not fun and games no more. You are it.”
Kirk also advised his former student, “Everything keeps going up and up and up, and the sky‘s the limit for you.”
He also told the publication he felt confident Taylor had found the right husband in Travis and said he trusted her judgement.
chose to have actor-comedian Adam Sandler officiate the proceedings while also ditching the traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen.
Instead, they had members of their families by their sides with the groom having his brother and former star as best man and Taylor having her
The news of this detail quashed fan speculation about , such as and .
In another unusual wedding detail, Taylor reportedly walked down the aisle to a strings rendition of one of her own songs while Jason and Kylie Kelce’s daughters scattered petals.
After the ceremony, the couple threw a fairytale-esque party on the lower level of MSG with the theme reportedly mixing Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz.
Dozens of , and Travis’ A-list guests flocked to Madison Square Garden well in advance of the wedding.
Some stars spotted include , Karlie Kloss, Dakota Johnson, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Kravitz, Erin Andrews, Matthew Stafford and Graham Norton.
While some A-listers like , , and legend were seen leaving the venue before midnight, many with bleary-eyed celebs spotted returning to hotels after 3am.
This included Donald Glover and beloved broadcaster who was seen clutching a bottle of water while exiting a cab as he returned The Greenwich Hotel in Tribeca, telling The U.S. Sun it was “great”.
The tight end popped the question after in a private, at-home proposal surrounded by hundreds of flowers.
Their wedding comes after months of speculation from fans as to when and would be held.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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