Taylor Swift's Beloved Teacher Dies on Her, Travis Kelce's Wedding Day

3 weeks ago 19

Adam Sandler's Marriage Advice to Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Revealed After Officiating Wedding

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 wed Travis Kelce in 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 Debut album, 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.

“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 Janet Schwabe, he wouldn’t mince his words, telling The Telegraph that 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. 

Backgrid

Dakota Johnson

Come here, dressed in black now, the actress rocked an asymmetrical look for Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's July 3, 2026 wedding in New York.

TheImageDirect.com

Zoë Kravitz

Best 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.

TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Camila Cabello

The "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 Giannetos

Gigi Hadid

Swift's longtime bestie looked so gorgeous as she strutted into Madison Square Garden donning a breathtaking pink gown and bombshell hair. 

TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Karlie Kloss & Joshua Kushner

No 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 / BACKGRID

Ed Sheeran & Cherry Seaborn

After 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 Images

Hugh Grant & Anna Elisabet Eberstein

After attending the Eras Tour, the actor and his wife showed their love, actually, for Swift and Kelce.

Instagram/Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco

The "Love You Like a Love Song" singer and music producer couldn't keep their hands to thamselves as their celebrated her BFF's wedding to Kelce.

REUTERS/Carlos Barria

Jimmy Fallon

One for the money, two for the show—the late night host wasn't going to be a no-show for this one.

BACKGRID

Machine Gun Kelly 

The rapper, who has bonded with Kelce over their shared Ohio hometown, kept it 100 in his signature style. 

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Jason Sudeikis

The 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. 

BACKGRID

Maren Morris

She'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 / BACKGRID

Gigi Hadid

For the model, it felt like a perfect night to dress up in a sparkling pink 'fit and watch her BFF get married. 

TheStewartofNY/GC Images

Bradley Cooper

A simple tux never goes out of style for a wedding. The Silver Linings Playbook star was dressed to impress in the West Village. 

BACKGRID

Kelsea Ballerini 

And we could tell you, Ballerini opted for green. The country star and longtime fan of Swift stepped out for the wedding. 

BACKGRID

Miranda Lambert & Brendan McLoughlin

Quite the high profile date night. The "Drunk" singer headed to MSG alongside her husband. 

Aeon/GC Images

Abigail Anderson

Besties with Swift since the singer sat in class next to a red-head named Abigail, a gilded Anderson attended with husband Charles Berard.

Instagram/Kimberly Williams Paisley

Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Seth Meyers & Alexi Ashe

The celeb couples enjoyed a double date at the wedding of the year.

Backgrid

Tree Paine

Swift's longtime publicist stunned in an off-the-shoulder neutral-hued gown. 

Instagram/Vanessa Bryant

Vanessa Bryant

Bryant rocked a pink look featuring a sweetheart neckline to celebrate the newlywed sweethearts.

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Benson Boone

The singer came ready to see all the beautiful things at Swift and Kelce's nuptials.

Instagram/Niecy Nash Betts

Jessica Betts & Niecy Nash Betts

"The Betts pulled up to the Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift wedding," the actress wrote on Instagram following the party. "A time was had! The love in the room was palpable. Wowwwwwww is the best way to describe it. From beginning to end no detail was spared! "

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Ethan Hawke

The actor—who starred in Swift's "Fortnight" music video—arrived at MSG to celebrate the couple's love lasting far longer than a fortnight. 

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Abby Wambach & Glennon Doyle

After scoring coveted invites, the soccer star and her wife proved all their white diamonds and lovers are forever while walking into MSG. 

Sombr/TikTok

Sombr

Feelin' so gorgeous. The "Undressed" singer shared a peek at his outfit on TikTok

Aeon/GC Images

Ross Travis 

So scarlet, it was maroon. Kelce's longtime pal sported a suit nodding to one of Swift's songs for the wedding. 

Adam Scott/Instagram

Paul Rudd & Adam Scott

The actors and their wives weren't clueless when it came to chic wedding style.

BACKGRID

Kimberly Schlapman

A little big moment. The Little Big Town singer went for something blue. 

Aeon/GC Images

Jarret Stoll & Erin Andrews 

Keeping it 100. The ESPN analyst—who recently vacationed with the bride and groom in Montana—and her husband stepped out in New York.

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

Matthew Libatique & Mary Ellen Libatique

Bet the cinematographer—who was the mastermind behind Swift's "I Bet You Think About Me" music video—and his wife will be thinking about this date night for years to come.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

Read Entire Article