American Sniper Wife Said Husband Would Have Been "In Awe" of Movie's Success

American Sniper Chris Kyle was a simple man and his wife believes that he would have been blown away by the success of the movie based on his life.

"He would just be in awe of it, really," his widow Tara Kyle, 40 told PEOPLE. "Part of the beauty of it is that he was just so humble. It makes me really emotional when I think about how he would react."

She added that Chris, the late Navy SEAL, is the kind of guy who would have preferred working on a ranch or enjoying a couple of beers with his friends rather than attending a red carpet event. 

"He wasn't used to being in the forefront," she admitted. And she said that the sudden thrust in the limelight would definitely make her husband feel embarrassed.

"At the same time, I can also see him being almost uncomfortable in some ways with the attention," she said. "He got used to it in some ways with the book but not entirely - not ever."

The film American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood is based on Chris's bestselling 2012 autobiography. It has already garnered six Oscar nominations including Best Picture and Best Actor for Bradley Cooper, who plays Chris in the movie. On top of that, American Sniper also earned more than $200 million.

Taya also shared that during book signings, there would be people telling her husband that they feel nervous meeting him. But Chris would surprise his fans by telling them, almost apologetically, "My knees are shaking now."

But there is one thing Chris would have totally loved, said Taya, and that is the positive response from veterans and their families.

"Chris would feel so honored and so blessed to find a way to serve again, without intending to, just by being him," said Taya. 

Chris passed away in 2013 when he was shot in a Texas gun range by 25-year-old former Marine Eddie Ray Routh. He was 38.

Routh's mother asked Chris to her son, who is suffering from PTSD. Chris and his friend Chad Littlefield took Routh to the gun range, and Routh allegedly turned his gun on both Chris and Littlefield. He is now facing charges for capital murder. 

Taya said that right before Chris left, he said I love you. And when she asked if everyting is okay, he answered, "Yeah, I just need to get down there and get back."