Kristin Nelson, born Sharon Kristin Harmon on June 25, 1945, in Burbank, California, was an American painter, actress, and author. She was the daughter of Tom Harmon, a celebrated football player and sportscaster, and Elyse Knox, an actress and model. 

She grew up in a family of notable figures, with her siblings Mark Harmon, a well-known actor, and Kelly Harmon, an actress and model. She attended Marymount High School in Bel Air, where she formed close friendships with other celebrity children, including Mia Farrow.

Kristin Nelson married teen idol Ricky Nelson in 1963 when she was just 17 years old. The couple had four children: Tracy, Gunnar, Matthew, and Sam. Their marriage was often in the public eye, and they appeared together on the television show "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet." 
 

She also acted in films such as "Love and Kisses" and "The Resurrection of Broncho Billy," the latter of which won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. However, her marriage to Ricky ended in divorce in 1982. She later married television producer and director Mark Tinker in 1988, but they divorced in 2000.

Kristin Nelson was a talented painter known for her primitive-style artwork, which was characterized by bright colors and a lack of perspective. Her paintings often depicted scenes from her life and were admired by notable figures such as Jacqueline Kennedy and Mia Farrow. 

She published a coffee-table autobiography titled "Out of My Mind," which featured her paintings along with diary entries and poems. Her work as an artist earned her widespread acclaim, and she held several exhibitions throughout her career.

Her lifestyle reflected her artistic and creative spirit. She balanced her roles as a mother, artist, and actress while navigating the challenges of life in the public eye. Despite facing personal struggles, including the loss of her ex-husband Ricky Nelson in a plane crash and her own health issues, she remained resilient and dedicated to her craft.

Kristin Nelson passed away on April 27, 2018, at the age of 72 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.