Carole King is one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters in American music history. With a career spanning more than six decades, she has shaped the sound of popular music through her songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin and her landmark solo album Tapestry. Born February 9, 1942, she is 84 years old according to biographical sources. Her songs, including “You’ve Got a Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” remain timeless classics.
From the Brill Building in New York City to the top of the Billboard charts, King’s influence extends far beyond her own performances. She co-wrote or wrote over 400 songs recorded by more than 1,000 artists, according to Biography.com. Her work helped define the singer-songwriter movement of the 1970s and continues to inspire new generations.
This article provides a comprehensive look at Carole King’s biography, her most famous songs, her personal life, and the legacy she leaves behind. All information is drawn from verified sources, including her official website, Encyclopædia Britannica, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Who Is Carole King? Biography, Age, and Spouse
February 9, 1942 (age 84)
Carol Joan Klein
Singer, songwriter, pianist, author, environmentalist
Tapestry (1971)
- Carole King co-wrote over 118 songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100, making her one of the most successful female songwriters of the 20th century.
- Her album Tapestry spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the charts for more than six years.
- She is a 4-time Grammy winner and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
- King’s songwriting partnership with Gerry Goffin produced 20 Top 10 hits in the 1960s.
- She has been a lifelong environmental activist, advocating for clean water and forest preservation.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Carole King (born Carol Joan Klein) |
| Birth Date | February 9, 1942 |
| Birth Place | Manhattan, New York, USA |
| Genres | Pop, rock, soft rock, folk |
| Years Active | 1958–present |
| Spouse(s) | Gerry Goffin (1959–1968), Charles Larkey (1970–1976), Rick Evers (1977–1978), Rick Sorenson (1982–present, separated) |
| Children | Louise Goffin, Sherry Goffin, Molly Larkey (and Levi, per Biography.com) |
| Top Song | “You’ve Got a Friend” (also written by King) |
| Major Awards | 4 Grammy Awards, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
How Old Is Carole King?
Carole King was born on February 9, 1942, in Manhattan, New York. According to biographical sources, she is 84 years old. Her birth name is Carol Joan Klein, which she changed to Carole King early in her career. Multiple sources, including Encyclopædia Britannica and Wikipedia, confirm these details.
Who Is Carole King Married To?
Carole King has been married four times. Her first marriage was to songwriter Gerry Goffin in 1959, which ended in divorce in 1968. Together they formed one of the most successful songwriting duos in pop history. She later married Charles Larkey (1970–1976), Rick Evers (1977–1978), and Rick Sorenson (1982). Her current marital status with Sorenson is not publicly confirmed, according to Biography.com.
What Is Carole King’s Real Name?
Her birth name is Carol Joan Klein. She adopted the stage name Carole King early in her career. The change is documented in multiple sources, including PBS American Masters.
What Are Carole King’s Most Famous Songs and Albums?
What Is Carole King’s Most Famous Song?
While she wrote many hits, “You’ve Got a Friend” is among her most iconic. The song was first recorded by James Taylor and taken to No. 1. King also recorded it on her album Tapestry. “It’s Too Late” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” are also legendary. The latter became an anthem of female empowerment through Aretha Franklin’s rendition.
What Songs Did Carole King Write?
Carole King co-wrote over 118 chart hits, including “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “The Locomotion,” “One Fine Day,” and “Take Good Care of My Baby.” She also wrote the entire Tapestry album. According to Biography.com, she has written or co-written over 400 songs recorded by more than 1,000 artists.
Carole King wrote “You’ve Got a Friend” in 1971. James Taylor’s version won two Grammy Awards, and King’s own version also won a Grammy. The song remains one of the most covered songs in pop music history.
What Is the Album Tapestry by Carole King?
Tapestry (1971) is Carole King’s second studio album and one of the best-selling albums of all time. It stayed at No. 1 for 15 weeks and remained on the charts for more than six years, according to multiple sources. The album includes “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” It helped establish the singer-songwriter era and won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
What Is the Meaning of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”?
The song was co-written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Jerry Wexler. It expresses the feeling of being complete and fulfilled by a romantic partner. Aretha Franklin’s 1967 recording became a defining anthem of female empowerment. The song is widely regarded as one of King’s signature songwriting collaborations.
Who Wrote “You’ve Got a Friend”?
Carole King wrote “You’ve Got a Friend” in 1971. It was first recorded by James Taylor for his album Mud Slide Slim and later by King on Tapestry. The song won Grammy Awards for both artists. King’s official website notes that the song remains one of her most beloved.
What Is Carole King’s Net Worth and Career Overview?
What Is Carole King’s Net Worth?
Exact net worth figures vary by source. While some estimates place it around $70 million, no official, reliably sourced figure could be confirmed from the provided research. Any number should be treated as an estimate.
Is Carole King Touring?
As of 2025, Carole King is not actively touring. Her last major tour was the “Living Room Tour” in 2013. According to Apple Music, she officially retired from music in 2012. She continues to perform occasionally at special events and remains active in environmental activism.
Carole King’s Musical Legacy and Influence
How Did Carole King Become a Songwriter?
She began writing songs as a teenager in Brooklyn. She met Gerry Goffin at Queens College, and they became a legendary songwriting duo at the Brill Building in New York City. Their early hits included “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (1960), which became the first No. 1 single by a girl group. The partnership produced 20 Top 10 hits in the 1960s.
What Is Carole King’s Impact on Music?
As one of the most successful female songwriters of the 20th century, King paved the way for singer-songwriters. Tapestry broke sales records and won four Grammy Awards. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990. Her work influenced artists like Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, and her songs continue to be covered by artists worldwide.
Beyond music, Carole King has been a lifelong environmental activist. She has advocated for clean water and forest preservation, particularly through the “Wild & Scenic” rivers initiative. She resides on a ranch in Idaho and maintains a home in California.
Carole King’s Life and Career Timeline
- – Born Carol Joan Klein in Manhattan, New York.
- – Forms the “Co-Sines” with Paul Simon; meets Gerry Goffin.
- – First No. 1 single as songwriter: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” (The Shirelles).
- – Co-writes “The Locomotion” and “It Might as Well Rain Until September.”
- – Co-writes “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” for Aretha Franklin.
- – Divorce from Gerry Goffin; moves to Los Angeles.
- – Forms The City with Charles Larkey; releases debut solo album Writer.
- – Releases Tapestry – wins 4 Grammys including Album of the Year.
- – Performs at the White House; releases Music.
- – Releases Fantasy; continues touring.
- – Marries Rick Evers (d. 1978).
- – Marries Rick Sorenson.
- – Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- – Receives the Grammy Legend Award.
- – Performs Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway; releases memoir A Natural Woman.
- – Announced final tour; continues to receive lifetime achievement honors.
- – At 84, remains active in environmental activism and occasional performances.
What Is Known and What Remains Uncertain About Carole King?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Carole King’s birth date and place (February 9, 1942, Manhattan) | Exact net worth figures vary by source; no official confirmation |
| Her marriage to Gerry Goffin and their songwriting partnership | Current marital status with Rick Sorenson is not publicly confirmed |
| The release date and commercial success of Tapestry (1971) | Future tour plans are not announced; fans should monitor official website |
| Her Grammy Awards and Hall of Fame inductions | Number of children varies slightly by source (Biography.com lists four, other sources list three) |
How Did Carole King Influence Music and Culture?
Carole King’s role in the Brill Building era and the shift to the singer-songwriter movement is well documented. She was part of a generation of songwriters who wrote for other artists before stepping into the spotlight themselves. Tapestry was a landmark album that changed the way the music industry viewed female artists. Its success proved that a woman could write, perform, and produce her own work and achieve massive commercial success.
Her environmental activism also shaped her public persona. She has been a vocal advocate for clean water and forest preservation, using her platform to support the “Wild & Scenic” rivers initiative. Her activism is often mentioned alongside her music career in biographical profiles.
What Do Sources and Quotes Reveal About Carole King?
“I think I’m a very lucky person. I’ve been able to do what I love for a living.”
— Carole King, interview with NPR, 2012
“Carole King is the most successful female songwriter of the 20th century pop music era.”
— Spotify bio
“Tapestry is a landmark album that changed the way we think about singer-songwriters.”
— Rolling Stone, 500 Greatest Albums list
These quotes reflect the high regard in which King is held by critics and institutions. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Awards provide official recognition of her achievements.
What Is Carole King’s Lasting Legacy?
Carole King’s legacy is defined by her extraordinary songwriting, her groundbreaking album Tapestry, and her role in empowering female artists. She has sold tens of millions of records, won multiple Grammys, and been inducted into multiple halls of fame. Even after retiring from touring, her music continues to be discovered by new audiences. Her environmental activism adds another dimension to her public life, making her a figure of enduring relevance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carole King
How many children does Carole King have?
She has two daughters, Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin, from her marriage to Gerry Goffin, and a daughter, Molly Larkey, from her marriage to Charles Larkey. Some sources also list a son named Levi.
What is Carole King’s most covered song?
“You’ve Got a Friend” has been recorded by hundreds of artists, including James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and Michael Jackson.
Did Carole King write all the songs on Tapestry?
Yes, Carole King wrote all 12 songs on Tapestry, with lyrics by Toni Stern on two tracks (“It’s Too Late” and “Where You Lead”).
Is Carole King still making music?
She has not released a new studio album since 2011, but she occasionally performs and releases special projects.
What is Carole King’s connection to James Taylor?
James Taylor was a close friend and collaborator; he performed “You’ve Got a Friend” on King’s Tapestry and they toured together in the 1970s.
Where does Carole King live now?
She resides on a ranch in Idaho and also maintains a home in California.
James Sutton is Senior Reporter at ShowbizUK.co.uk, covering breaking showbiz and entertainment stories. He works under Editor-in-Chief Victoria Winslow and Managing Editor Oliver Bennett, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.