Watch:Taylor Swift’s Beloved Former Teacher Dies on Same Day as Her, Travis Kelce’s Wedding Day
Kirk Schwabe was Taylor Swift’s No. 1 fan, forever and always.
The former Chicago police officer—who taught Swift in high school before becoming one of her bodyguards in the early years of her career—died following a battle with cancer on July 3, the same day Swift wedTravis Kelcein New York City, Schwabe’s family told The Telegraph. He was 69
“My dad had a remarkable way of making people feel seen, valued, and protected,” his daughter told the outlet. “Whether you were family, one of his students, or someone like Taylor whose path crossed his, he cared deeply about people. That’s the legacy he leaves behind.”
And indeed, Schwabe’s path first crossed Swift’s in 2004, two years before she’d release her Debutalbum, when he taught her criminal justice at her Nashville high school. Just five years later, at the request of her family he quit his teaching job to become her bodyguard as her career began to reach new heights
Schwabe recalled this period of the Grammy winner’s life in an interview with the Telegraph in the days before his passing
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“I told her, ‘You’re a superstar,’” he recalled. “‘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.’”
As for what Schwabe remembered from those early days, he joked that a lot of it included waiting for Swift to change into different costumes for her performances, quipping, “She’s not the fastest dresser.”
Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images
And though Schwabe was only Swift’s bodyguard for a few years, his impact was always felt. In fact, when Swift made her acting debut in the 2010 film Valentine’s Day, her character had a teacher named Mr. Schwabe in honor of her real-life mentor
“That was her idea,” Schwabe told The Telegraph. “They told her to improvise.”
As for what her former teacher thought of Swift marrying the guy on the football team, Schwabe had no qualms about Kelce
“I do trust Taylor’s judgment,” he said. “She knows what’s best.”
And according to Schwabe’s wife JanetSchwabe, he wouldn’t mince his words, telling The Telegraphthat he treated Swift “like he did his daughters.”
Unfortunately, Schwabe’s illness prevented him from being one of the 1,000 friends and loved ones who gathered at Madison Square Garden from all eras of Swift and Kelce’s lives to watch them say, “I do.”
For a closer look at the nuptials, read on.
Instagram/KeshaAnya Taylor-Joy & KeshaThe stars coordinated in stunning black dresses for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s July 3, 2026, wedding.InstagramJessica Alba & Danny RamirezOver 10 years after starring in the “Bad Blood” music video, Alba proved she still has mad love for Swift, attending the ceremony with her boyfriend. Laurie Zanoletti/InstagramBrad Pitt & Ines de RamonAfter joining the Kelce’s for an episode of New Heights, the Oscar winner and the jewelry designer brought their own love story to the festivities.BackgridDakota JohnsonCome here, dressed in black now, the actress rocked an asymmetrical look for the wedding of the century.Instagram/Patrick MahomesPatrick Mahomes & Brittany MahomesThe Chiefs QB and his wife shared a photo on the way to see Kelce and Swift reach the endzone in their relationship.TheImageDirect.comZoë KravitzBest believe Swift’s longtime friend—and collaborator on “Lavender Haze”—was bejeweled in a mini dress and strappy heels for the soirée. However, her plus-one was a blank space, since her fiancé Harry Styles (also Swift’s ex) performed on London on July 3.Instagram/Julian EdelmanJulian Edelman, Rob Gronkowski & Camille Kostek”One hell of a (love) story,” Edelman wrote on social media while attending the bash with his fellow Patriots alum and Gronk’s longtime girlfriend. “Congrats to Taylor and Travis Unbelievable day celebrating two incredible people.”InstagramGabriella Brooks & Liam HemsworthBrooks—who also dated Swift’s ex Matty Healy—wrote on Instagram, “The night of our lives. Congratulations T[heart]T you are a match made in heaven.”TheStewartofNY/GC ImagesCamila CabelloThe “Havana” singer—who opened for Swift’s Reputation tour—was burning red in her deep V dress for the affair at Madison Square Garden. Instagram/Dimitris GiannetosGigi HadidSwift’s longtime bestie looked so gorgeous as she strutted into Madison Square Garden donning a breathtaking pink gown and bombshell hair. TheStewartofNY/GC ImagesKarlie Kloss & Joshua KushnerNo bad blood here. The former bestie of Swift proved that some hatchets can be buried as she stepped out with her husband for the wedding. Fernando Ramales / BACKGRIDEd Sheeran & Cherry SeabornAfter the storm, something was indeed born on the Fourth of July for both Sheeran and Seaborn, as well as Swift and Kelce, who will tie the knot July 3. Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesHugh Grant & Anna Elisabet EbersteinAfter attending the Eras Tour, the actor and his wife showed their love, actually, for Swift and Kelce.Instagram/Selena GomezSelena Gomez & Benny BlancoThe “Love You Like a Love Song” singer and music producer couldn’t keep their hands to themselves as their celebrated her BFF’s wedding to Kelce.REUTERS/Carlos BarriaJimmy FallonOne for the money, two for the show—the late night host wasn’t going to be a no-show for this one.BACKGRIDMachine Gun Kelly The rapper, who has bonded with Kelce over their shared Ohio hometown, kept it 100 in his signature style. Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesJason SudeikisThe Ted Lasso star—whose ex Olivia Wilde went on to date Swift’s ex Harry Styles, fun fact—was in a rush to the main event as he was seen hustling through midtown Manhattan. BACKGRIDMaren MorrisShe’s got class all over her. The country singer—who appeared on the re-recording of Swift’s Fearless album—sported a little black dress. NYC / BACKGRIDGigi HadidFor the model, it felt like a perfect night to dress up in a sparkling pink ‘fit and watch her BFF get married. TheStewartofNY/GC ImagesBradley CooperA simple tux never goes out of style for a wedding. The Silver Linings Playbook star was dressed to impress in the West Village. BACKGRIDKelsea Ballerini And we could tell you, Ballerini opted for green. The country star and longtime fan of Swift stepped out for the wedding. BACKGRIDMiranda Lambert & Brendan McLoughlinQuite the high profile date night. The “Drunk” singer headed to MSG alongside her husband. Aeon/GC ImagesAbigail AndersonBesties with Swift since the singer sat in class next to a red-head named Abigail, a gilded Anderson attended with husband Charles Berard.InstagramVanessa BryantKobe Bryant’s widow—who has been close to Swift for years—needed no assist to pull off the perfect look, rocking a dress featuring a sweetheart neckline to celebrate the newlywed sweethearts.Natalia Bryant/InstagramNatalia BryantThe oldest daughter of Kobe and Vanessa Bryant also attended the star-studded nuptials, stepping out in a blue Badgley Mischka gown.InstagramNikki GlaserThe comedian—who confessed she spent nearly $100,000 to see 22 Eras Tour shows—had her wildest dreams come true seeing Swift say “I do.”Instagram/Kimberly Williams PaisleyBrad Paisley, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Seth Meyers & Alexi AsheThe celeb couples enjoyed a double date at the wedding of the year.BackgridTree PaineSwift’s longtime publicist stunned in an off-the-shoulder neutral-hued gown. USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectBenson BooneThe singer came ready to see all the beautiful things at Swift and Kelce’s nuptials.InstagramMelanie Nyema, Shayna Steele, Jeslyn Gorman, Kamilah Marshall & Eliotte NicoleSwift’s backup dancers and singers banded together for the gorgeous occasion. Nicole captioned her post, “The Love Story of the ages has its happy ending.”photos
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