Photo:Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
James Tayloris a dad to four talented children. The “Fire and Rain” singer has two children, Sarah Maria “Sally” Taylor and Benjamin Simon “Ben” Taylor, with ex-wifeCarly Simon, to whom he was married from 1972 to 1983.
James also has two children, twin sons Henry and Rufus, with his wife,Caroline “Kim” Smedvig-Taylor, a musician and former director of marketing for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The couple married in February 2001 andwelcomed their sons via surrogate in April of that year.
James toldParadein 2022 that he appreciated being an older parent to his twin sons, who were born when he was 53. “There’s a point where you’re ready,” he said. “You’re settled down enough; you’re not constantly trying to find your place.”
Here’s everything to know about James Taylor’s four children: Sally, Ben, Henry and Rufus.
Sarah Maria “Sally” Taylor, 49
Theo Wargo/WireImage
James and Simon’s first child,Sarah Maria “Sally” Taylor, was born on Jan. 7, 1974. She is married to Dean Bragonier, with whom she has one son, Bodhi Taylor Bragonier, born in October 2007.
Sally is an artist, a teacher and, like her famous parents, a musician. She foundedConsenses, an arts education organization. She often spends time with her mom and has shared photos with her onInstagram. Simon has alsoshared throwback photosof the two.
Sally and her brother Ben have also performed with their mom. In 2007, Simon told PEOPLE that performing together was one of her favorite family activities.“We’re good at taking each other’s suggestions and criticisms,” she said. “Well, the criticisms are a bit more challenging, but we get through it!”
Sally has also performed with her dad. In 2018, the two sang together at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art — where Sally’s exhibition, “Come to Your Senses: Art to See, Smell, Hear, Taste and Touch,” was on display — to raise money for arts education. Sally and James spoke totheBerkshire Eaglebefore their father-daughter performance. “It’s been a while since Sally and I shared the stage and made music together. It is something I’ve always loved," James said in a statement.
Sally Taylor Instagram
“When it came to learning how to play guitar, neither of my parents taught me how to do it, and I think that was probably intentional because I do believe songwriting has to come,” Sally said of their music. “If you’re meant to write music, you have to find out your own process.”
In May 2020, Sally celebrated Mother’s Day andposted a photowith her brother Ben and their mom. “Happy Mothers Day mama. You make my heart sing. Thank you for being there always for me and Benjer,” she wrote in the caption.
Sally alsoenjoys knitting,taking walksandpainting.
Benjamin Simon “Ben” Taylor, 46
Benjamin Taylor Instagram
The second of James and Simon’s kids,Benjamin Simon “Ben” Taylor, was born on Jan. 22, 1977. Like his parents, Ben is a musician — he plays guitar and sings. He writes songs andshares videosabout music theory and music production. He has alsorecorded songs with his mom.
In 2007, Simon told PEOPLE about Ben’s relationship with his sister Sally. “[They] fought terribly. Since Sally is three years older than Ben, she always bossed him around — until one day he fought back,” she said. “He actually slapped her on the back, and they both ended up crying. For the first time he felt empathy for her, and she realized they were equals. They’ve been close ever since.”
Clive Brunskill/Getty
Simon also shared that Ben and Sally inspired her music — specifically the song “Love of My Life.”“I wrote [it] in 1992 but also included on my new album,” she said. “The lyrics are:‘I love lilacs and avocados / Ukuleles and fireworks / AndMia Farrowand walking in the snow / But you’ve got to know that / You’re the love of my life / From the moment I first saw you / The second that you were born / I know that you were the love of my life.’ ”
Ben also gave his dad a shout-out on Instagram in March 2020 witha video of himselfchopping wood. “We used to spend weekends with my father in Connecticut. As we had no television, my father showed me how to while the hours away in this manner… I guess I simply never lost the habit,” he captioned the video.
In January 2020, Ben shared athrowback photoof himself and his dad from his childhood. In the photo, both father and son are dressed in suit jackets. “The good old days,” he captioned the photo.
Henry Taylor, 22
James Taylor Instagram
James andKim’s sonHenry Taylor was born on April 5, 2001. Like his dad, Henryis a singer and musicianand he frequently performs with his dad. In early 2023,James announcedthat Henry would join him on tour as a supporting vocalist, after doing the same the year before.
In May 2020, the two sang “Moon River” on NBC’sThe Voice. The pair also sang and played guitar to James’ song “You Can Close Your Eyes” in concert in October 2021.
In March 2023, Jamesshared a photographwith his wife, Henry and Rufus celebrating his 75th birthday.
In June 2022, James shared aphoto with Henryfrom his tour bus and a photo of the two posing with Kim. “And bus life begins….see you tomorrow Columbia, SC!” James captioned his post.
Rufus Taylor, 22
James and Kim’s son Rufus Taylor was born on April 5, 2001. According to hisInstagram bio, Rufus will graduate from Amherst College in 2024.
Rufus likes to travel and has shared photographs fromMontana,FranceandSouth Africa. He also likes to bake and has shared photos of hisKey lime pieandhomemade focaccia.
In November 2022, his father shared a throwbackphoto of Rufus and HenrywithPaul McCartney. “A #tbt for the ages 💥❤️,” James captioned the post.
Rufus and Henry are very close. In April 2019, Rufusshared a birthday postdedicated to his twin on Instagram. “Happy birthday to my oldest friend. Henry I love you so much,” Rufus wrote. “Whenever we get together, you always make me double over laughing. You are brilliant, sensitive, charismatic, and absolutely worthless at reading out loud. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you as my brother.”
source: people.com
