In the autumn of 1981, country music icon Johnny Cash faced an adversary that almost ended his life on the grounds of his own home. This was not a drug overdose or a car crash, but a physical brawl with a male ostrich named Waldo.
The “Man in Black” found himself in a life-or-death struggle with a 300-pound (136 kg) bird that left him with broken bones and a stomach wound that required surgery. This bizarre chapter in music history explains how a simple walk in the woods turned into a bloody fight for survival that had long-lasting medical consequences for the singer.
The Exotic Animal Park at House of Cash
During the 1970s and 80s, Johnny Cash lived in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where he established the “House of Cash.” He populated his land with various exotic animals, including antelope, deer, and ostriches. While the female ostriches were generally calm, the male, Waldo, displayed aggressive behavior.
Cash observed that the bird had previously killed its female mate because she would not sit on their unfertilized eggs. Despite this violent history, the singer allowed the bird to roam freely on the compound. One day in 1981, Cash walked out for a stroll in the woods and encountered Waldo standing on the trail. The bird hissed and spread its wings, blocking the path.
The Stick and the Jump Kick
Cash realized he could not outrun the animal. An ostrich can run at speeds up to 45 miles per hour (72 km/h), and the singer knew his only option was to stand his ground. He waited for the bird to make the first move. When Waldo charged, Cash swung a large stick he had picked up from the ground.
He aimed for the bird’s legs, but the ostrich was faster. The bird dodged the swing and launched itself into the air. It landed a two-footed kick directly onto Cash’s chest. The force of the blow knocked the large man backward onto the ground and broke two of his ribs on impact.
Saved by a Belt Buckle
The damage could have been fatal if not for a piece of wardrobe. Ostrich feet are equipped with long, razor-sharp toe claws capable of disemboweling predators like lions. When Waldo kicked Cash, the claw struck the singer’s oversized belt buckle.
The buckle took the brunt of the force, preventing the claw from fully penetrating the abdominal wall. However, the claw still managed to rip open his stomach and break three more ribs. As Cash lay on the ground with five broken ribs and a severe wound, he managed to swing his stick one more time. He connected with the bird’s legs, causing the animal to flee into the woods.
Medical Consequences and Relapse
The encounter left Johnny Cash with serious physical injuries that required hospitalization. Doctors treated him for the deep abdominal gash and the five broken ribs. While the physical wounds eventually healed, the incident had a secondary effect on his health. During his recovery, medical staff administered painkillers to manage the severe discomfort.
This reintroduction to opiates triggered a relapse into addiction for Cash, who had been sober for some time prior to the attack. He eventually checked into the Betty Ford Clinic to treat the dependency that resurfaced because of the fight. The bird, Waldo, continued to live on the farm until he later froze to death during a harsh winter.
In 1981, Johnny Cash faced a killer on his own property.
It wasn't a gunman, but a 300-lb (136 kg) ostrich named Waldo.
The country icon stood his ground against the prehistoric beast in a brawl that broke his bones and nearly gutted him…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/xbmP3RedQl
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) December 28, 2025