James Taylor was not always lucky with love. However, he got it right with his third wife, Caroline Smedvig. Meet the woman who changed him.
Caroline Smedvig is the ex-wife of late virtuoso classical trumpeter Rolf Smedvig and the current wife of James Taylor, a highly acclaimed singer-songwriter who has won six Grammy Awards. But who is she beyond being a wife?
Here’s what we know about her.
Caroline Smedivg Early Life and Education
Caroline Smedvig, also known as Caroline Elisabeth Hessberg or Kim was born on May 31, 1953. She is currently 69 years old as of 2023. She was raised in Albany, New York State, and is the daughter of Albert Hessberg and Elisabeth Fitzsimons Goold. Her father, a Yale University graduate, had a successful career as a lawyer and was a prominent figure in Albany, serving as the Albany County Bar Association president.
Caroline’s dad is an American citizen of Caucasian ethnicity. Sadly he died in January 1995 at age 78 of cancer. Elisabeth, Caroline’s mother, also passed away earlier in 1991. Caroline has two Brothers, Albert of Albany and Philip of Atlanta.
She completed her education at Albany Academy for Girls and later attended college in North Hampton. She is also an alumna of Smith College and University.
Caroline Smedivg’s Career
Earlier in her life, Caroline had a notable career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). She joined the organization in 1980 as a publicist and maintained her professional association with BSO until 2004. After her departure, she continued to be an advisor to Mark Volpe, the CEO and President of BSO at the time.
In 2007, Caroline was appointed to the board of overseers and became a trustee in September of the same year. Before her work with BSO, she had experience working for newspapers, including the Knickerbocker News during her college years and the Springfield Daily News.
Caroline Smedivg’s Husband
James Taylor has achieved notable recognition in the music industry. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, James Taylor is considered one of the best-selling music artists ever.
He is known for his renditions of popular songs like “How Sweet It Is” and “Handy Man,” as well as his original compositions such as “Sweet Baby James.” In addition to his music career, James Taylor ventured into acting and played the lead role in the 1971 film “Two-Lane Blacktop” by Monte Hellman.
In 2015, James Taylor achieved his first number-one album in the United States with “Before This World,” further solidifying his success and popularity in the music industry.
How Did Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor Meet?
Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor first met in 1993 during a Boston Pops concert by John Williams, where James performed. However, they didn’t start dating until 1995. They tied the knot on February 18, 2001, in a small ceremony at the Lindsey Chapel of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston.
The intimate event was attended by around 50 close friends and family members. Throughout their long marriage, Caroline and James have supported each other incredibly and openly expressed their love and commitment. They often make joint appearances on musical stages, showcasing their shared passion.
Caroline Smedvig Children
In April 2001, James Taylor and Caroline Smedvig became parents to their biological twins, Rufus and Henry Taylor. According to reports, a family friend acted as the surrogate mother for the twins, who were born through in vitro fertilization. As of 2023, Henry and Rufus are 22 years old.
Henry has expressed an interest in pursuing a music career following in his famous family’s footsteps. On the other hand, Rufus has shown a passion for culinary arts, as evidenced by his Instagram posts.
Caroline Smedvig’s Past Marriages
As earlier stated, Caroline Smedvig was previously married to Rolf Thorstein Smedvig, a renowned orchestra trumpeter. They got married in December 1980 but eventually separated after a few years.
On the other hand, James Taylor had two previous marriages before meeting Caroline. He first married actress Carly Simon in November 1972, but they divorced in 1983. They had two children, Sally and Ben, who share their father’s passion for music.
In 1985, James Taylor married Kathryn Walker as his second wife, but their marriage ended in 1996 after more than a decade together. The wedding ceremony took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Regardless of their past relationships, Caroline and James have found a way to succeed not just in their careers but in their marriage as well.
How Rich Is Caroline Smedvig?
As of 2022, Caroline’s estimated net worth is around $500,000, while her husband, James Taylor, has amassed a substantial fortune of $80 million. James Taylor’s wealth primarily comes from his successful music career over five decades.
Caroline and James currently live in Lenox.
Another celebrity wife who has held down her own is Ellen Heidingsfelder. She went against the storm to carve a successful career for herself.