Caroline Smedvig, also known as Kim Taylor, is an American arts professional best known as the wife of legendary singer-songwriter James Taylor. Long before their marriage, she built a respected career with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Caroline and James married in 2001 and are parents to twin sons Henry and Rufus Taylor.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Caroline Smedvig |
| Also known as | Kim Taylor / Caroline Taylor |
| Date of birth | May 31, 1953 (widely reported) |
| Age | 73 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Albany, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Smith College |
| Profession | Former journalist, PR executive, arts professional |
| Famous for | Being James Taylor’s wife |
| Husband | James Taylor |
| Children | Henry Taylor and Rufus Taylor |
| Height | About 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), unverified |
| Net worth | Not publicly verified |
Who Is Caroline Smedvig?
Caroline Smedvig is a former journalist, public relations professional, and longtime figure in the American classical music community. She spent decades working with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and became closely associated with prominent musicians and conductors. Her marriage to James Taylor later brought her wider public attention.
Unlike many celebrity spouses, Caroline has generally avoided building a public profile around her husband’s fame. Her professional background in journalism, communications, music administration, and cultural events gives her an identity that extends well beyond being known as James Taylor’s wife.
Early Life
Caroline Smedvig is widely reported to have been born on May 31, 1953, in Albany, New York. Based on that reported date, she is 73 years old in 2026. However, her complete birth details are not prominently documented by major primary sources.
She grew up around Albany and developed a connection with Massachusetts and the Berkshires while still young. Her father, Albert Hessberg II, was a prominent Albany lawyer, while her mother was Elisabeth Goold. Caroline later moved to Massachusetts for her education.
Education
Caroline attended Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her time there helped establish her interest in journalism and communications. Reports on James Taylor’s official website note that she worked as an Associated Press stringer while studying and also gained experience through an internship with The New York Times.
After graduating, Caroline entered newspaper journalism. She reportedly worked for the former Springfield Daily News before eventually moving toward public relations. That career change became especially important because it led her into the professional music world.
Boston Symphony Career
Caroline joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s press office in 1979. She later became director of public relations and marketing, spending many years promoting performances, musicians, special events, and some of the orchestra’s largest cultural projects.
During her BSO career, Caroline worked closely with celebrated conductor Seiji Ozawa and composer-conductor John Williams. Her responsibilities included media relations, event planning, communications, and projects involving the Boston Symphony, Boston Pops, Symphony Hall, and Tanglewood.
Her Musical Background
Caroline’s involvement with music was not limited to administration. She has also been described as a trained choral singer who performed with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.
Her musical knowledge helped her understand the artistic side of the organizations she represented. It also became one of the natural connections between her and James Taylor, whose life has revolved around songwriting, performing, recording, and touring for more than five decades.
How She Met James Taylor
Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor first met in 1993 when Taylor was performing with the Boston Pops. Caroline was then working as the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s director of public relations.
Taylor later recalled contacting her after the performance because he had lost his watch. Caroline reportedly suspected that the missing watch might have been an excuse to call her. Their romantic relationship developed later, becoming serious around 1995.
Their Marriage
After dating for several years, Caroline and James married on February 18, 2001, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston. Their wedding reflected Caroline’s close relationships within the classical music community, with longtime friend John Williams reportedly walking her down the aisle.
The marriage was James Taylor’s third. He had previously been married to singer Carly Simon and actress Kathryn Walker. His relationship with Caroline, however, has now lasted for more than two decades.
Caroline Smedvig’s Children
Caroline and James Taylor are parents to twin sons, Henry Taylor and Rufus Taylor. The twins were born in April 2001, shortly after their parents married.
Reports have stated that Henry and Rufus were conceived through IVF and carried by a surrogate, although the family has kept most private details surrounding their birth out of the public spotlight. James Taylor’s official website publicly celebrated their 21st birthday in 2022.
Henry and Rufus Taylor
Henry and Rufus grew up surrounded by music but were given a considerably more private childhood than might be expected from the sons of an internationally famous singer.
Both attended Milton Academy. Published interviews with James Taylor have indicated that the twins developed their own musical interests. Henry became interested in guitar and singing, while Rufus showed an interest in performance and musical theater.
Her Stepchildren
Caroline is also part of James Taylor’s larger blended family. James shares two older children, Sally Taylor and Ben Taylor, with his first wife, Carly Simon.
Both Sally and Ben followed their famous parents into music. This means Caroline’s family includes musicians across multiple generations, while Henry and Rufus grew up with older half-siblings who already understood what life inside a famous musical family could involve.
Life in Massachusetts
Caroline and James have established much of their family life in Western Massachusetts, particularly around the Berkshires. The area carries personal and professional meaning for both of them.
Caroline had longstanding connections to Tanglewood through the Boston Symphony Orchestra, while James Taylor has performed there repeatedly throughout his career. Living outside Hollywood also offered their children a comparatively quieter environment in which to grow up.
Age and Height
Caroline Smedvig is commonly reported as having been born on May 31, 1953, making her around 73 years old in 2026. Because leading institutional sources do not prominently publish her birth certificate information, the date should be described as widely reported rather than officially confirmed.
Some online biographies list Caroline’s height at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). There is no authoritative source confirming this measurement, however, so her exact height remains unverified.
Physical Appearance
Caroline has appeared publicly alongside James Taylor at concerts, award ceremonies, premieres, and charitable events. She is generally seen with a polished but understated appearance and has never made fashion or celebrity publicity a central part of her public image.
Her relatively reserved style matches her broader approach to fame. Despite spending decades around internationally recognized performers, she has consistently remained more comfortable behind the scenes.
Caroline Smedvig’s Net Worth
Caroline Smedvig’s exact net worth has not been publicly verified. Several celebrity websites publish estimates, but no reliable financial documents or direct statements from Caroline support a specific figure.
Her professional career nevertheless included decades of senior-level work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. James Taylor has separately built considerable wealth through album sales, touring, royalties, and other music-related work, but his wealth should not automatically be presented as Caroline’s personal net worth.
Social Media
Caroline does not appear to maintain a prominent verified social media presence. She has generally chosen privacy over becoming an online personality.
Most reliable updates involving Caroline and the Taylor family appear through James Taylor’s official website and social channels, established publications, or organizations connected with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Accounts using Caroline’s name should therefore not automatically be assumed to belong to her.
Where Is Caroline Smedvig Now?
Caroline continues to live a relatively private life in Massachusetts with strong connections to music, family, and the Boston arts community. The Boston Symphony Orchestra has continued to list Caroline Taylor as a trustee, showing that her relationship with the institution has continued beyond her full-time professional career.
Her story is ultimately about much more than marrying a celebrity. Caroline Smedvig built a successful career in journalism and arts communications, contributed to major musical institutions, raised twin sons with James Taylor, and has maintained a remarkably private life despite decades spent close to fame.
FAQs
Who is Caroline Smedvig?
Caroline Smedvig is an American arts professional, former journalist, and longtime Boston Symphony Orchestra figure. She is best known as the wife of singer-songwriter James Taylor.
How old is Caroline Smedvig?
Caroline Smedvig is widely reported to have been born on May 31, 1953. Based on that date, she is 73 years old in 2026.
When did Caroline Smedvig marry James Taylor?
Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor married in 2001 after dating for several years. Their relationship reportedly began in the mid-1990s after they first met through the Boston music scene.
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