Who Is Caroline Smedvig? All About James Taylor’s Wife and Her Story

You may already know James Taylor — the soft-spoken singer with a guitar and a heart full of songs. He’s won Grammy Awards, sold millions of albums, and touched people all over the world with songs like Fire and Rain and You’ve Got a Friend.

But behind many of those songs is a quiet, graceful woman named Caroline Smedvig — his wife, his muse, and someone who’s lived a full life of her own. She inspired love songs like Caroline I See You, yet many people don’t know who she really is.

In this article, we’ll share everything about Caroline Smedvig, also known as James Taylor’s wife. From her early life and career to how they met, got married, and started a family, you’ll learn her full story in a simple and easy way.

Caroline Smedvig Quick Bio

Who Is Caroline Smedvig?

Caroline Smedvig, whose full name is Caroline Elisabeth Hessberg, was born on May 31, 1957. She is now 68 years old as of 2025. She was born and raised in Albany, New York, in the United States.

She is best known today as James Taylor’s wife, but she has also worked as a newspaper reporter, a music professional, and even a backup singer at times. Caroline is smart, calm, and prefers to live a quiet life away from the spotlight.

Even though she is not on social media or in many interviews, her story is full of interesting moments — and we’ll walk through them one by one.

Caroline Smedvig’s Early Life and Family

Caroline grew up in a warm and respected family in Albany, New York. Her parents were Albert Hessberg II and Elisabeth Fitzsimans Goold. Her dad was a well-known lawyer in their city, and her mom was a caring, supportive figure.

She had two brothers — Albert Hessberg III and Philip Hessberg. Caroline was the only daughter in the family. Sadly, her mom passed away in 1991, and her dad died from cancer in 1995.

Her family had strong roots in law and community work. Her grandfather even led the Albany County Bar Association. But not everything in her family was perfect. Years later, her brother Albert III got into legal trouble and was disbarred after admitting to stealing money from clients.

Even with challenges like that, Caroline always stayed grounded and focused on her own path — a quiet but meaningful journey.

Education and Young Dreams

As a young girl, Caroline was bright and curious. She studied at the Albany Academy for Girls, one of the oldest girls’ schools in the country. She graduated in 1971.

After high school, she went to Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts — a top women’s college known for producing strong and smart women leaders. She graduated in 1975.

While in college, Caroline started to explore her love for writing. She wasn’t chasing fame — she simply wanted to tell stories and share ideas. That’s how she stepped into the world of news and journalism.

Her Career Before Fame

After college, Caroline started working as a newspaper reporter. She wrote for papers like the Knickerbocker News and Springfield Daily News. Her job was to cover real stories about real people — and she did it well.

Being a reporter isn’t always easy. You have to chase facts, write clearly, and meet deadlines. But Caroline enjoyed the work. It helped her stay connected to the world and taught her how to speak with purpose and kindness.

Even though she later became known as James Taylor’s wife, Caroline had already built her own career long before that. Her early work in journalism showed how thoughtful and professional she was.

Joining the Boston Symphony Orchestra

In 1980, Caroline took a big step in her career — she joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO). At first, she worked in their press and communications department.

Over time, she became the Director of Public Relations and Marketing. That meant she was in charge of sharing the orchestra’s story with the world — helping people discover beautiful music and talented musicians.

She stayed with the BSO for over 20 years, working behind the scenes on big concerts, events, and tours. Caroline wasn’t on stage, but she played a big part in helping the orchestra grow.

She left that position in 2004, after marrying James Taylor. But her time at BSO would always be a special part of her life — and it’s where she met the man who would become her husband.

How Caroline Smedvig Met James Taylor

Now let’s talk about how love found its way in.

Caroline met James Taylor in 1993 at a Boston Pops concert, which was part of her job with the BSO. James was performing that night, and Caroline was helping organize the event. At the time, James was still married to his second wife, Kathryn Walker, so nothing romantic happened right away.

They respected boundaries and waited until James’s previous marriage officially ended. Two years later, they decided to go on their first date — on July 3, 1995.

That date became so special to James that he later wrote a song called “On the 4th of July.” It’s a gentle love song about a peaceful and powerful moment — just like the way their relationship began.

Marriage to James Taylor

After a few years of dating, Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor got married on February 18, 2001. Their wedding was held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Boston. It was a quiet and beautiful ceremony.

By this time, James had already been married twice. But with Caroline, things felt different. He once said he loved how kind and calm she was. Their love was patient and strong from the start.

Caroline became James Taylor’s wife at a time when both of them were more settled in life. And soon after, she became part of his music world in a sweet and natural way.

Caroline Smedvig’s Children and Family Life

Caroline and James dreamed of starting a family together. But they found out that having children naturally would not be possible for them. Still, they didn’t give up.

In April 2001, they welcomed twin sons — Henry and Rufus — through surrogacy. The surrogate was a close family friend, and the babies were healthy and loved from day one.

Caroline Smedvig became a loving mother, and James, already a dad to two older kids, said he felt more ready this time around. They all live together in Lenox, Massachusetts, where they enjoy nature, music, and quiet family time.

Life as James Taylor’s Wife

Being married to a famous singer can be hard sometimes. But Caroline has always handled it with grace. She doesn’t chase attention, and she rarely appears in interviews or big media stories.

Still, she often travels with James and shows up by his side at concerts and charity events. She has even sung backup with him on stage a few times, which fans love to see.

James often shares sweet photos of her on social media. In one post, he simply added the hashtag #loveislove with a picture of them hugging. Their bond feels real and warm — something fans notice and admire.

Caroline Smedvig’s Role in Charity and Music

Even though she stepped away from her full-time job at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Caroline still supports music and the arts. She is now a trustee for the BSO and helps guide the organization from behind the scenes.

She and James also give back in big ways. In 2020, they donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital to help with emergency care. They said it was their way of standing with healthcare workers during tough times.

Caroline also helps with fundraising for children’s hospitals, music programs, and more. She may not be in the spotlight, but she’s always helping quietly in the background.

Caroline Smedvig’s Quiet Public Life

Unlike many celebrity spouses, Caroline Smedvig stays off social media. She doesn’t have Instagram or Twitter. And she rarely gives public interviews.

Still, fans sometimes get to see her during special moments — birthdays, family holidays, or public concerts. She and James even shared a cozy photo from a snowy cabin on Christmas Eve 2022 with their twin sons and pet pugs.

She enjoys peace, family, and music — and many people find that inspiring. Caroline shows us that you don’t need to be loud to live a meaningful life.

Where Is Caroline Smedvig Now?

As of 2025, Caroline lives with James Taylor and their family in Massachusetts. They split their time between Lenox and Washington. Their home is quiet, green, and full of music.

Their sons, Henry and Rufus, are now young adults and sometimes join their dad on stage. Caroline continues to support the arts and help raise money for causes she cares about.

Even today, Caroline Smedvig, James Taylor’s wife, stays true to who she is — a strong, smart, and kind woman who values love, music, and family above all else.

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