Caroline Smedvig: All About James Taylor’s Wife

Caroline Smedvig is an American former journalist, writer, arts administrator, and musician. She is best known as the wife of singer-songwriter James Taylor. Before their marriage, Caroline built a long career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, where she served as Director of Public Relations and Marketing.

Caroline and James married on February 18, 2001. They have twin sons, Rufus and Henry Taylor. She has also worked as a writer, performed as a singer, and taken part in charitable work.

Quick Facts

Caroline Smedvig’s Age and Birthday

Caroline Smedvig celebrates her birthday on May 31.

However, the available sources disagree about her year of birth.

One source gives May 31, 1953, while another gives May 31, 1957. Because of this difference, her exact age cannot be confidently confirmed from the available information.

Her reported zodiac sign is Gemini.

Where Was Caroline Smedvig Born?

Caroline was born in Albany, New York, United States.

She is American.

Some secondary sources describe her as being of white ethnicity and Christian, but these details are not important to understanding her career or family life.

Caroline Smedvig’s Full Name

One source gives Caroline’s birth name as Caroline Elisabeth Hessberg.

She became widely known as Caroline Smedvig after her marriage to classical trumpeter Rolf Smedvig.

She is also known as Kim Smedvig and Kim Taylor.

Public photographs and reports have sometimes identified her as Caroline “Kim” Smedvig.

Caroline Smedvig’s Parents

Caroline’s parents were Albert Hessberg II and Elisabeth Fitzsimons Goold.

Her mother died in 1991.

Her father died from cancer in January 1995.

Caroline was reportedly the only daughter in a family of three children.

Who Was Albert Hessberg II?

Caroline’s father, Albert Hessberg II, was a lawyer in Albany, New York.

He reportedly attended Yale University and later became a senior partner at a law firm.

Secondary sources also connect him with the Albany County Bar Association and Albany Medical Center.

He died from cancer in 1995.

Caroline Smedvig’s Brothers

Caroline grew up with two brothers.

One was Albert Hessberg III, who followed their father into law.

Her other brother is identified as Philip in the supplied information.

Some sources provide inconsistent versions of Philip’s full name, so it is safer not to give a more specific name without stronger confirmation.

Caroline Smedvig’s Education

Caroline reportedly attended Albany Academy for Girls.

She completed her studies there in 1971.

She later attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.

Caroline graduated from Smith College in 1975.

The available information does not clearly establish what subject she studied.

Caroline Smedvig’s Journalism Career

Caroline worked in journalism before beginning her career in arts management.

While attending college, she reportedly worked part-time as a reporter for the Knickerbocker News in Albany.

Secondary sources also connect her with The New York Times as an intern, The Associated Press, and the Springfield Daily News.

Her journalism experience later became useful in her communications and public relations career.

Caroline Smedvig and the Boston Symphony Orchestra

Caroline joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra, commonly known as the BSO, in 1980.

She eventually became the organization’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing.

Her work involved communications and promotion for one of the best-known orchestras in the United States.

Caroline remained with the organization for many years. She left her full-time position in 2004.

Some later reports identify her as a trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, showing that her connection with the organization continued after she left her full-time role.

Her exact BSO position in 2026 is not firmly established by the available information.

Caroline Smedvig’s Book About Seiji Ozawa

Caroline also worked as a writer.

She collaborated with photographer Lincoln Russell on a book about conductor Seiji Ozawa.

The book is reported as Seiji: An Intimate Portrait of Seiji Ozawa and was published in 1998.

Ozawa served for many years as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

The project connected Caroline’s writing background with her work in classical music.

Caroline Smedvig as a Singer

Caroline has also been involved in music herself.

She reportedly sang with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.

She has also performed as a backup vocalist with her husband, James Taylor.

Her musical work has remained much less public than her husband’s career.

How Did Caroline Smedvig Meet James Taylor?

Caroline first met James Taylor in 1993 through her work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

James was performing with the Boston Pops Orchestra at an event connected with conductor John Williams.

At the time, Caroline was working in public relations and marketing for the BSO.

Their first meeting was professional rather than romantic.

When Did Caroline and James Taylor Start Dating?

James was still married to his second wife, Kathryn Walker, when he first met Caroline.

According to the supplied information, Caroline and James did not immediately begin a romantic relationship.

They started dating in 1995, about two years after first meeting.

One source gives their first date as July 3, 1995.

On the 4th of July and Caroline Smedvig

James Taylor’s song “On the 4th of July” has been connected with his relationship with Caroline.

One supplied source links the song with their reported first date on July 3, 1995.

James has also recorded a song called “Caroline I See You,” which has been associated directly with his wife.

These songs are among the musical connections between Caroline and James’s relationship.

When Did Caroline Smedvig Marry James Taylor?

Caroline and James married on February 18, 2001.

Their wedding took place at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

One source more specifically identifies the location as Lindsey Chapel, which is part of Emmanuel Episcopal Church.

The couple had reportedly been dating for about six years before getting married.

Who Is James Taylor?

James Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.

He became one of the best-known singer-songwriters of his generation.

His famous songs include “Fire and Rain,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Sweet Baby James.”

James has won multiple Grammy Awards. The supplied information also reports that he has sold more than 100 million records during his career.

Caroline is his third wife.

James Taylor’s First Wife, Carly Simon

James Taylor’s first wife was singer-songwriter Carly Simon.

They married in 1972 and divorced in 1983.

They had two children together.

Their daughter, Sarah “Sally” Maria Taylor, was born on January 7, 1974. She became a musician and visual artist.

Their son, Benjamin “Ben” Simon Taylor, was born on January 22, 1977. He became a singer-songwriter and musician.

James Taylor’s Second Wife, Kathryn Walker

James married Kathryn Walker in 1985.

The couple did not have children together.

Their marriage ended in 1996.

Caroline later became James’s third wife.

Caroline Smedvig’s First Husband

James Taylor was also Caroline’s second husband.

Caroline was previously married to Rolf Thorstein Smedvig.

Rolf was a classical trumpeter and served as a principal trumpeter with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Caroline and Rolf reportedly married in December 1980.

The available information does not clearly establish the date or circumstances of their divorce.

Rolf later married Kelly Holub.

Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor’s Children

Caroline and James have twin sons, Rufus Taylor and Henry Taylor.

The twins were born in April 2001, shortly after their parents married.

An exact publicly confirmed birth date for the twins is not provided in the supplied material.

Rufus and Henry Were Born Through Surrogacy

Secondary reports say Caroline and James welcomed their twins through surrogacy.

The reports say an unnamed surrogate underwent in vitro fertilization in 2000.

Because these details involve private medical information and come from secondary reporting, they should be treated as reported information rather than expanded with speculation.

Rufus and Henry Taylor’s Interest in Music

Rufus and Henry grew up around music.

The supplied sources say the twins have sometimes performed as backup vocalists with their father.

Henry has appeared publicly with his parents during performances.

On May 7, 2020, James, Caroline, and Henry appeared together on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Caroline Smedvig’s Family Life

Caroline and James have occasionally shared public moments with their sons.

In 2006, the family appeared together at an Entertainment Industry Foundation colon cancer benefit.

In October 2007, Caroline, James, Rufus, and Henry were photographed together before a World Series game in Boston.

James’s social media has also shown the family celebrating holidays together.

Caroline and James Taylor’s Hiking Trip

In June 2023, James shared photographs from a family hiking trip at Mount Charleston in Nevada.

Caroline and their son Henry joined him.

The family has also shared photographs from Christmas celebrations, including a reported holiday gathering at a cabin in Montana.

Caroline Smedvig’s Philanthropic Work

Caroline has been involved with charitable organizations.

The supplied information connects her with Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, where she has reportedly served on a board.

She and James have also supported fundraising and healthcare programs.

Caroline and James Taylor’s $1 Million Donation

In 2020, Caroline and James reportedly donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Fund.

The donation came during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was intended to support the hospital and healthcare workers responding to the emergency.

Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center Fundraising

Caroline and James were also involved with fundraising for the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center.

In 2016, they participated in a fundraising event that reportedly raised $2.6 million.

That amount represents money raised through the event and should not be confused with a personal $2.6 million donation from the couple.

Caroline Smedvig’s Public Appearances

Caroline has attended many public events with James.

The supplied material includes appearances connected with:

• The Forces for Nature gala benefiting the Natural Resources Defense Council
• The Academy Awards
• The Rainforest Fund’s 25th anniversary concert
• MusiCares events
• The USC Shoah Foundation’s Ambassadors for Humanity Gala
• The National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
• Massachusetts General Hospital-related events
• Charity events
• Concerts
• Sporting events

She has also performed on stage with James.

Caroline Smedvig and Tony Bennett

Caroline and James also knew singer Tony Bennett and his wife.

After Bennett died in 2023, James shared a tribute and included a photograph of himself and Caroline with Bennett and his spouse.

Does Caroline Smedvig Have Social Media?

The available information does not identify verified personal social media accounts belonging to Caroline.

She does, however, appear regularly in photographs shared through James Taylor’s social media accounts.

James has posted family pictures, travel photographs, birthday posts, and older images featuring Caroline.

Where Does Caroline Smedvig Live?

Reports differ slightly about Caroline and James’s residence.

Some sources place them in Lenox, Massachusetts, while another gives Washington, Massachusetts.

Both are in the Berkshires region.

The safest description is that Caroline and James have been reported as living in the Berkshires area of Massachusetts.

Caroline Smedvig’s Net Worth

Caroline Smedvig’s personal net worth is not reliably known.

She had a long professional career in journalism and arts administration and came from a successful professional family.

However, there are no reliable public financial records establishing her personal wealth.

Some websites estimate James Taylor’s net worth at around $80 million, but his estimated wealth should not be presented as Caroline’s personal net worth.

What Is Caroline Smedvig Doing Now?

Caroline has remained connected with music, family, charitable work, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Later reports have described her as a BSO trustee, although her exact professional position in 2026 is not firmly established.

She also continues to make occasional public appearances with James and appears in family photographs shared by him.

Interesting Facts

• Caroline Smedvig was born in Albany, New York.
• Her birthday is reported as May 31.
• Sources disagree on whether she was born in 1953 or 1957.
• Her reported birth name is Caroline Elisabeth Hessberg.
• She is also known as Kim Smedvig and Kim Taylor.
• Her parents were Albert Hessberg II and Elisabeth Fitzsimons Goold.
• She grew up with two brothers.
• She attended Albany Academy for Girls.
• She graduated from Smith College in 1975.
• Caroline worked as a newspaper reporter early in her career.
• She joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1980.
• She became the BSO’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing.
• She left her full-time BSO position in 2004.
• Caroline contributed to a book about conductor Seiji Ozawa.
• She has sung with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
• Her first husband was trumpeter Rolf Thorstein Smedvig.
• Caroline met James Taylor in 1993.
• They reportedly began dating in 1995.
• They married on February 18, 2001.
• Caroline is James Taylor’s third wife.
• They have twin sons, Rufus and Henry Taylor.
• Their sons were born in April 2001.
• Caroline has performed as a backup vocalist with James.
• Caroline and James donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Fund in 2020.
• She does not appear to maintain a widely verified public social media presence.
• Her personal net worth is not reliably known.

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