Renee says 'I do'
2005-05-10 07:04
Los Angeles - Oscar-winning actress Renee Zellweger married country and western star Kenny Chesney in a brief ceremony on Monday in the US Virgin Islands, following a whirlwind romance.
Showbiz network E! quoted Zellweger's publicist Nanci Ryder as saying the 15-minute ceremony on the island of St John was attended by "close friends and family".
It's the first marriage for both stars.
Zellweger, who turned 36 in April, and Chesney, 37, had only been dating for a few months since their meeting on January 15 at a benefit concert for victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.
For Zellweger, it was a case of swapping one musician for another. The Texan actress split up with White Stripes frontman Jack White last year.
She has also dated comedian Jim Carrey, her co-star in Me, Myself and Irene.
Zellweger won the 2004 best supporting actress Oscar for Cold Mountain. It was her third nomination in a row, following nods for Bridget Jones Diary and Chicago.
Her latest film, Cinderella Man, which also stars Russell Crowe, is due for release in June.
Chesney, who lives on St John, is one of Nashville, Tennessee's biggest acts and won Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards last November.
He currently has two albums on Billboard's top 10 country albums chart.
Chesney was previously engaged to his hometown sweetheart, Mandy Weals, but they split shortly after calling off their wedding in 1998.