Here’s a lovely place to start. James Taylor has written many famous love songs. But two of them were written for one special person, his wife, Caroline Smedvig.
One is called “On the 4th of July.” It came from the night of their very first date. Another, “Caroline, I See You,” carries her name right in the title.
But here’s what many people don’t know. Caroline isn’t simply a famous singer’s wife. She built a big career of her own, long before she ever met him.
In fact, she ran public relations for one of the world’s great orchestras. Before that, she worked as a newspaper reporter, chasing stories and writing for a living.
The two first crossed paths in 1993 at Symphony Hall in Boston. It was a work event, not a romance, at least not yet. That would come a little later.
In this article, we’ll get to know Caroline Smedvig. We’ll look at her early life, her education, her career, her love story, her family, and her charity work. Let’s begin.
Who Is Caroline Smedvig?
So, who exactly is Caroline Smedvig? In simple words, she’s an American former journalist and arts leader. She spent decades working in the world of classical music.
Her biggest role came at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, often called the BSO. She served as its Director of Public Relations and Marketing for about 25 years.
Many people also know her as “Kim.” That’s a nickname she’s used for years, and her husband often uses it when he speaks about her publicly.
She’s a creative person, too. Caroline has written a book, sung in a well-known chorus, and even joined her husband on stage as a backup singer.
Of course, she’s also known as the wife of James Taylor, the beloved singer-songwriter. The two married in 2001 and have twin sons together.
Put simply, Caroline Smedvig is a working professional, a mother, and a quiet giver. She’s spent her life around music, words, and causes she believes in.
Caroline Smedvig’s Early Life and Family
Let’s go back to her beginnings. Caroline Smedvig was born in Albany, New York, in the early 1950s. Most sources point to May 31, 1953.
That makes her zodiac sign Gemini. People born under this sign are often called curious and good with words, which suits a future reporter quite well.
Her family was well known in Albany. Her father, Albert Hessberg II, was a respected lawyer and a Yale graduate. He was a senior partner at his law firm.
Her mother was Elisabeth Fitzsimons Goold. Together, the couple raised three children. Caroline was their only daughter, growing up alongside her two brothers, Albert III and Philip.
Sadly, she lost both parents within a few years. Her mother passed away in 1991. Her father died of cancer in January 1995, at Albany Medical Center.
One honest note. Some websites list her birth year as 1957 instead of 1953. Given her school dates, 1953 fits far better, so that’s the year most likely correct.
Caroline Smedvig’s Education
Now let’s look at her school years. Caroline Smedvig attended the Albany Academy for Girls, a private school in her hometown. She completed her studies there in 1971.
After that, she headed to Massachusetts. She enrolled at Smith College in Northampton, a highly respected liberal arts college known for strong academics and creative thinking.
She graduated from Smith in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree. Those college years clearly shaped her, since she was already working in journalism while still a student.
Her love of writing showed up early. She wasn’t waiting until graduation to start her career, she was out reporting real news while classes were still in session.
That mix of solid schooling and hands-on work gave her a strong start. It set her up nicely for the busy, varied career that would follow.
Caroline Smedvig’s Career as a Reporter
Before music, there was news. Caroline Smedvig began her working life as a journalist, which is a very different world from the concert halls she’d later know.
While still in college, she worked part-time as a reporter for the Knickerbocker News in Albany, New York. That’s an impressive start for a student.
After graduating, she kept writing. Reports say she worked for the Springfield Daily News, an afternoon paper, gaining more experience in daily newsroom life.
Her name is also linked to bigger outlets. Sources mention time with the Associated Press and an internship at the New York Times, though these details aren’t fully confirmed.
Newsroom work teaches useful skills. You learn to write fast, ask good questions, and explain things clearly to the public. Those skills matter in many jobs.
And that’s exactly what happened next. Her sharp writing and communication skills would soon carry her into a whole new field, the world of classical music.
Caroline Smedvig at the Boston Symphony Orchestra
Here’s the biggest chapter of her working life. In 1980, Caroline Smedvig joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra, one of the most respected orchestras in the world.
She rose to become its Director of Public Relations and Marketing. That’s a senior job, and it carries real weight at an organisation of that size and reputation.
What does that role involve? In simple terms, telling the world about the orchestra. It means working with the press, promoting concerts, and shaping how the public sees the BSO.
She held that position for about 25 years. That’s a long, steady run in one place, and it shows both her skill and the trust the orchestra placed in her.
She stepped down from the role in 2004. Even so, her connection didn’t end there. Reports say she has since served as a trustee, helping guide the organisation.
Caroline Smedvig’s Work as a Writer and Singer
Caroline Smedvig didn’t stop at management. She also has a creative side, and she’s put it to use in some lovely ways over the years.
In 1998, she worked on a book about the famous conductor Seiji Ozawa, who led the Boston Symphony for decades. She collaborated with photographer Lincoln Russell on the project.
Music isn’t just her job, either. She sang with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the well-known chorus tied to the BSO’s summer home in the Berkshires.
She’s also joined her husband on stage. Caroline has appeared as a backup singer for James Taylor, adding her voice to his performances now and then.
One sweet example came in 2020. She performed alongside James on The Tonight Show, and their son Henry joined them too, making it a real family moment.
How Caroline Smedvig Met James Taylor
Now for the love story. Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor first met in 1993, and fittingly, music brought them together.
The setting was Symphony Hall in Boston. James was performing with the Boston Pops Orchestra, in an event connected to the famous composer John Williams.
Caroline was there in her professional role as the BSO’s Director of Public Relations and Marketing. So their first meeting was work, not romance.
And romance didn’t follow right away. At the time, James was still married to his second wife, actress Kathryn Walker. Both of them respected that, so they waited.
Two years later, things changed. Their first date happened on July 3, 1995. That evening left such a mark that James later wrote the song “On the 4th of July” about it.
He also wrote “Caroline, I See You” for her. Having not one but two songs written in your honour is a rather lovely way to be loved.
Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor’s Wedding
After dating for about six years, the couple made it official. They married on February 18, 2001, in a ceremony in Boston.
The wedding took place at Lindsey Chapel, part of Emmanuel Episcopal Church. It was a meaningful choice, set in the city where their story had begun years earlier.
This was a second marriage for Caroline. She was previously married to Rolf Smedvig, a professional trumpeter who served as the BSO’s principal trumpet. They wed in December 1980.
For James, it was his third marriage. He was married to singer Carly Simon from 1972 to 1983, and they had two children, Sally and Ben, both musicians.
His second marriage was to Kathryn Walker, which ended in 1996. With Caroline, though, he found lasting stability, their marriage has now passed the twenty-year mark.
Caroline Smedvig’s Twin Sons
The couple’s family grew quickly after the wedding. Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor welcomed twin sons, Rufus and Henry, in April 2001.
Their path to parenthood took a different route. The boys were born through surrogacy, after the couple learned that Caroline couldn’t carry a pregnancy herself.
James had initially thought his days of raising children were behind him. But his feelings changed, and the couple decided together to grow their family.
He’s spoken warmly about becoming a dad later in life. In his view, an older parent often feels more settled, more patient, and more ready for the job.
The twins grew up in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts, away from the noise of the music industry. It’s a quiet, green part of the state.
James has shared glimpses of family life over the years, including holiday photos, hiking trips, and birthday celebrations. The family, including their pugs, clearly enjoys time together.
Caroline Smedvig’s Charity Work
Here’s a side of Caroline Smedvig that deserves more attention. She and her husband have given generously to healthcare causes, especially in Boston.
She has served for many years on the board at Mass General Hospital for Children. That’s ongoing, hands-on involvement, not just a name on a letterhead.
In 2020, during the pandemic, the couple donated $1 million to Massachusetts General Hospital’s Emergency Preparedness Fund. It came at a moment of real need.
James spoke about the gift publicly. He said he and Kim wanted to be part of the fight, and that they were inspired by the courage of healthcare workers.
They‘ve helped raise money in other ways too. In 2016, the couple played a key part in a fundraiser that brought in $2.6 million for the MGH Cancer Center.
What stands out is the quietness of it. Caroline doesn’t publicise her giving. She simply supports causes she believes in and lets the work speak for itself.
Caroline Smedvig’s Life Today
So, where is Caroline Smedvig now? She and James live in the Berkshires area of western Massachusetts, in a quiet part of the state they clearly love.
Their ties to the Boston Symphony Orchestra remain strong. Both have stayed connected to the organisation that first brought them together all those years ago.
Caroline keeps a low profile. She has no known social media accounts of her own, and she rarely gives interviews or speaks publicly about herself.
Her husband is the one who shares. James posts family photos now and then, including a 2023 hiking trip at Mount Charleston in Nevada with their son Henry.
These days, her focus seems simple and steady. Family, music, and charity work fill her time, without any need for the spotlight her husband knows so well.
Interesting Facts About Caroline Smedvig
- Birth name: Caroline Elisabeth Hessberg, also known as “Kim.”
- Born: Albany, New York, in the early 1950s.
- Education: Albany Academy for Girls, then Smith College (1975).
- Early career: Newspaper reporter in Albany and Springfield.
- Main career: Director of PR and Marketing at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, 1980–2004.
- Book: A 1998 collaboration on conductor Seiji Ozawa.
- First marriage: Trumpeter Rolf Smedvig, married 1980.
- Husband: James Taylor, married February 18, 2001.
- Children: Twin sons Rufus and Henry, born April 2001.
- Home: The Berkshires, Massachusetts.
Bottom Line
So, what’s the real story of Caroline Smedvig? She’s a woman who built a serious, respected career long before most people knew her name.
Think about her path. She started as a young reporter chasing stories, then spent twenty-five years shaping how the world saw one of America’s finest orchestras.
Along the way, she wrote a book, sang in a celebrated chorus, and raised twin sons. She also gave quietly and generously to hospitals helping children and cancer patients.
And yes, she found a beautiful love story too, one that inspired songs still played today. But that’s just one part of a much fuller life.
In the end, Caroline Smedvig reminds us of something worth remembering. Behind a famous name can stand a person with a rich story entirely her own.
(FAQs)
How did Caroline Smedvig meet James Taylor?
They met in 1993 at Symphony Hall in Boston, where she worked for the BSO and he was performing with the Boston Pops. They began dating two years later.
When did Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor marry?
The couple married on February 18, 2001, at Lindsey Chapel in Boston’s Emmanuel Episcopal Church, after dating for about six years.
Did James Taylor write songs about Caroline Smedvig?
Yes. “On the 4th of July” was inspired by their first date on July 3, 1995, and he also wrote “Caroline, I See You” for her.
How many children do Caroline Smedvig and James Taylor have?
They have twin sons, Rufus and Henry, born in April 2001 through surrogacy. The boys grew up in Massachusetts.
What did Caroline Smedvig do for a living?
She began as a newspaper reporter, then joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1980, becoming its Director of Public Relations and Marketing until 2004.
Was Caroline Smedvig married before?
Yes. Her first husband was Rolf Smedvig, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s former principal trumpeter. They married in December 1980.
