Carole King, a legendary American singer and songwriter, holds a net worth of $100 million. Renowned as one of the most commercially successful female songwriters of all time, she achieved her breakthrough in 1971 with her album Tapestry, which dominated the U.S. charts for nearly six years. Over her impressive career, King has released more than 20 solo albums and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice. She has received numerous Grammy Awards and has written or co-written over 400 songs, which have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists.

Early Life

Carole King was born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, in Manhattan, New York. She grew up in a Jewish family with her parents, Sidney, a firefighter, and Eugenia, a teacher. Showing an early interest in music, King began piano lessons at the age of three and displayed perfect pitch by the time she was four. Academically gifted, she skipped a grade and started school early. She attended James Madison High School, where she formed a band called the Co-Shines and made demo records with her friend Paul Simon. Though she briefly enrolled at Queens College, King dropped out to pursue a career as a secretary.

Carole King’s Career

In 1960, King, along with her then-husband Gerry Goffin, made a massive impact in the music industry with the hit song “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” recorded by the Shirelles. This success led the duo to focus on songwriting full-time, resulting in numerous hits such as “The Loco-Motion,” “It Might as Well Rain Until September,” “Up on the Roof,” “One Fine Day,” and “Goin’ Back” throughout the 1960s.

Breakthrough with Tapestry

Carole King’s solo career soared with the release of Tapestry in 1971. The album spent 15 consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard 200 and remained on the charts for almost six years. Tapestry featured iconic hits such as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “It’s Too Late.” The album won four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and is considered one of the greatest albums of all time.

Continued Success in the 70s

Following Tapestry, King continued to enjoy success throughout the 1970s. Her 1971 album Music also reached number one on the Billboard 200. Other releases, such as Rhymes and Reasons, Fantasy, and Wrap Around Joy, were certified Gold. In 1976, she released Thoroughbred, her final album with Ode Records, before signing with Capitol Records for Simple Things in 1977.

Later Albums and Ventures

Carole King continued to make music into the 1980s and beyond, releasing albums like One to One, Speeding Time, City Streets, Colour of Your Dreams, and Love Makes the World. She also ventured into film music, writing and performing for movies such as The Care Bears Movie and A League of Their Own. She recorded a new version of her hit song “Where You Lead” for the TV series Gilmore Girls.

Personal Life

King has been married four times. She married lyricist Gerry Goffin in 1959, with whom she had two daughters, Louise and Sherry, before divorcing in 1968. In 1970, she married Charles Larkey, with whom she had two more children, Molly and Levi, before divorcing in 1976. King then married Rick Evers in 1977, but he passed away the following year. Her fourth marriage to Rick Sorenson ended in divorce in 1989.

In addition to her music career, Carole King has been an active political and environmental advocate. Since moving to Idaho in 1977, she has worked with organizations like the Alliance for the Wild Rockies to promote the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act. She also supported John Kerry during his presidential campaign.

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