Carole King: The Voice Behind The Hits

How Much is Carole King Worth?

Listen up, folks. Carole King is not just a name; she’s a legend. With a net worth of $100 million, this American songwriting powerhouse has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Carole King is one of the most successful female songwriters in history, and her 1971 masterpiece, "Tapestry," set the bar high for decades to come. It stayed on the U.S. charts for nearly six years, and that’s no small feat. Over the years, she’s released over 20 solo albums and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice. Yeah, you heard me right—twice! And let’s not forget those shiny Grammy Awards she’s picked up along the way.

But here’s the kicker: Carole King didn’t just write songs for herself. She’s penned or co-written over 400 songs that have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists. That’s right, 1,000! Most of her chart-topping hits were co-written with her former husband, Gerry Goffin, back in the '60s. Their collaboration resulted in her first #1 hit single, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," and she was only 18 at the time. Talk about talent!

Growing Up: Carole King's Early Years

Carole King, born as Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City, had music in her blood from the very beginning. Her father, Sidney, was a firefighter, and her mother, Eugenia, a teacher—both Jewish. It didn’t take long for young Carole to discover her passion for music. By the age of three, she was already tickling the ivories, and just a year later, it was discovered that she had perfect pitch. How’s that for a gift?

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Carole didn’t stop there. She took professional music lessons and even entered kindergarten early because of her remarkable aptitude for numbers and words. She skipped straight to primary school, showing just how bright she was. As a teenager, she attended James Madison High School, where she formed a band called the Co-Shines and made demo records with her friend Paul Simon. After high school, Carole enrolled at Queens College but eventually dropped out to become a secretary. But little did she know, her destiny was far greater than any desk job.

Starting Out: Carole King's First Big Break

In 1960, Carole King and her husband, Gerry Goffin, hit it big with the song "Will You Love Me Tomorrow," performed by the Shirelles. When it hit the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, they knew they were onto something special. They quit their day jobs and dedicated themselves entirely to songwriting. The hits just kept coming—“The Loco-Motion,” “It Might as Well Rain Until September,” “Up on the Roof,” “One Fine Day,” and “Goin' Back.” The list goes on and on.

But life has its twists and turns. After divorcing and losing touch with Goffin, Carole moved to Los Angeles and formed the music trio the City. They released one album, “Now That Everything's Been Said,” but the band didn’t last long. In 1969, the City disbanded, and the next year, Carole released her debut solo album, “Writer,” which reached number 84 on the Billboard 200. It wasn’t a huge success, but it was just the beginning of something much bigger.

Breaking Through with "Tapestry"

Fast forward to 1971, and Carole King had her breakout moment as a solo recording artist with the release of “Tapestry.” This album wasn’t just a hit—it was a phenomenon. It held the number one spot on the Billboard 200 for 15 straight weeks and stayed on the U.S. charts for almost six years. Songs like “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “It’s Too Late” became instant classics. “Tapestry” went on to win four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. Many consider it one of the greatest albums ever made. And honestly, who could argue with that?

More Hits in the '70s

Carole didn’t stop there. She followed up “Tapestry” with another massive hit, “Music,” which debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 and hit number one on New Year’s Day in 1972. She then released “Rhymes and Reasons” and “Fantasy,” both of which were certified Gold. In 1974, she put out “Wrap Around Joy,” which became her third album to reach number one. Two years later, she released “Thoroughbred,” her last studio album under the Ode label. She then signed with Capitol Records and released “Simple Things” in 1977, though it didn’t receive the warmest welcome. Her next two albums, “Welcome Home” and “Touch the Sky,” also struggled to make an impact. But hey, even legends have their ups and downs.

Carole King's Later Work

In 1982, Carole released her 12th solo album, “One to One,” through Atlantic Records, followed by “Speeding Time” in 1983. After a six-year hiatus, she returned to Capitol Records in 1989 to record “City Streets.” In the '90s, she released “Colour of Your Dreams” and “The Carnegie Hall Concert: June 18, 1971,” a recording of her very first concert performance. Her albums in the 2000s include “Love Makes the World,” “The Living Room Tour,” “A Holiday Carole,” and “The Legendary Demos,” a compilation album that showcased her early work. Carole King has never stopped creating.

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More Adventures in Music

Carole King didn’t limit herself to just writing and performing her own songs. She wrote and performed the track “Care-A-Lot” for the 1985 animated film “The Care Bears Movie.” The same year, she scored the soundtrack for the romantic comedy “Murphy’s Romance” and even made a cameo appearance in the film. In 1992, she wrote and performed “Now and Forever” for the sports film “A League of Their Own.” Later, she recorded a new version of her hit song “Where You Lead” to serve as the theme song for the TV series “Gilmore Girls.”

In 2007, Carole embarked on a tour of Japan with Fergie and Mary J. Blige. A few years later, she reunited with James Taylor for the Troubadour Reunion Tour, which resulted in the hit live album “Live at the Troubadour.” After that, she announced her retirement from music. But you know what they say—once an artist, always an artist.

Life Beyond Music: Personal Life and Activism

Carole King has been married four times. Her first marriage was to lyricist and longtime collaborator Gerry Goffin in 1959. They had two children, Louise and Sherry, before divorcing in 1968. In 1970, she married Charles Larkey, with whom she had two more children, Molly and Levi. They divorced in 1976. The following year, she married songwriter Rick Evers, and together they released the album “Simple Things.” Tragically, Evers passed away from a cocaine overdose just one year after their marriage. In 1982, Carole married Rick Sorenson, but they divorced in 1989.

Carole became involved in environmental activism in 1977 after moving to Idaho. She’s worked with groups like the Alliance for the Wild Rockies to advocate for the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. She’s also been politically active, campaigning for John Kerry during his presidential run. Carole King isn’t just a musician—she’s a force for good in the world.

The Enduring Legacy of Carole King

Carole King’s influence on music is immeasurable. In 1995, an all-star lineup of artists paid homage to her on the album “Tapestry Revisited: A Tribute to Carole King.” Over the years, countless artists have covered her songs, keeping her music alive for new generations. In 2013, a musical based on her life, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” premiered in San Francisco and later opened on Broadway. Actress Jessie Mueller won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her portrayal of Carole King. This is a woman whose legacy continues to inspire and resonate with fans around the globe.