Carole King, born Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942, in Manhattan, New York, is an iconic American singer-songwriter whose career has spanned over six decades. Renowned for her songwriting prowess and soulful performances, she has left an indelible mark on the music industry. As of now, her net worth is estimated to be around $100 million (Approximately £78 million), a testament to her enduring success through album sales, royalties, live performances, and strategic management of her music catalog.
Carole King Earnings
Here’s a breakdown of her primary earnings:
Album Sales: King’s landmark 1971 album, Tapestry, sold over 30 million copies worldwide, generating significant revenue. Certified diamond by the RIAA, it earned approximately $10.7 million in 1971 alone. Subsequent albums like Music (1971, $1 million in sales, platinum), Rhymes and Reasons (1972, $500,000, gold), and Fantasy (1973) also contributed to her wealth.
Songwriting Royalties: King co-wrote 118 Billboard Hot 100 hits, many with her first husband, Gerry Goffin. Classics like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “You’ve Got a Friend” generate ongoing performance, mechanical, and streaming royalties. Her catalog of over 400 songs, recorded by more than 1,000 artists, ensures a steady income.
Live Performances: The 2010 Troubadour Reunion Tour with James Taylor grossed over $59 million, with the live album Live at the Troubadour earning $606,000 and a gold certification. Her 2005 The Living Room Tour brought in $330,000.
Licensing and Other Ventures: King’s songs appear in films (A League of Their Own, “Now and Forever”), TV shows (Gilmore Girls, “Where You Lead”), and commercials, adding to her revenue. The Broadway musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical has also been financially rewarding.
Her strategic control over much of her music catalog, combined with licensing deals and streaming income from platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, has solidified her financial stability. Estimates suggest she earns millions annually from royalties alone, with total music-related earnings exceeding $150 million over her career.
Carole King Career Highlights
Carole King’s career began in the late 1950s as a songwriter at the Brill Building, where she and Gerry Goffin penned hits like “The Loco-Motion” for Little Eva and “Up on the Roof” for the Drifters. At age 18, “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” became her first #1 hit for the Shirelles. Her transition to a solo artist came with the 1970 album Writer, followed by the groundbreaking Tapestry in 1971, which topped the U.S. charts for 15 weeks and stayed on the Billboard charts for nearly six years.
King released 25 solo albums, with gold-certified works like Rhymes and Reasons (1972), Fantasy (1973), and Wrap Around Joy (1974, #1 album). She collaborated with artists like James Taylor, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell, amplifying her reach. Her accolades include four Grammy Awards (1972: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for Tapestry), two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions (1990 with Goffin, 2021 as a performer), the Gershwin Prize (2013), and a Kennedy Center Honor.
Despite a brief hiatus in 2012, King performed Tapestry live at the 2016 British Summer Time Festival and supported causes like the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing victims with James Taylor. Her influence as one of the most successful female songwriters of the 20th century remains unmatched.
Carole King Salary and Income Trends
While exact salary figures are private, estimates suggest King earns millions annually. Her income includes:
Royalties: Likely in Ascendable from radio, streaming, and covers, potentially $5-$10 million yearly.
Tours and Concerts: Significant earnings from tours, such as the $59 million from the Troubadour Reunion Tour.
Historical Earnings: Tapestry alone generated millions in 1971, with ongoing revenue from 75 million records sold worldwide.
Carole King Personal Life
She married four times. Her first and most well-known marriage was to Gerry Goffin, her high school sweetheart and songwriting partner. Together, they penned numerous hits during the 1960s, such as “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Their marriage ended in 1968, partly due to the strains of fame and Goffin’s struggles with mental health and infidelity. They had two daughters, Louise and Sherry. Louise Goffin followed in her parents’ footsteps and became a singer-songwriter.
In 1970, King married Charles Larkey, a bassist who played with James Taylor and others in the Laurel Canyon scene. They had two children, Molly and Levi, before eventually divorcing in the mid-1970s. King then entered a common-law marriage with Rick Evers, a songwriter and musician. Their relationship was reportedly abusive, and Evers died of a drug overdose in 1978. This dark period in her life left a lasting impact and was candidly addressed in her 2012 memoir A Natural Woman.
Her fourth marriage, to Rick Sorenson, lasted from 1982 until 1989. Afterward, King largely stepped back from public life and settled in rural Idaho. There, she embraced a quieter lifestyle and became deeply involved in environmental activism, particularly in efforts to protect forests and wildlife in the Northern Rockies. Despite the personal challenges she faced, Carole King’s resilience and honesty continue to shine through in her music and life story, inspiring generations of artists and fans alike.
Carole King Lifestyle
Carole King leads a relatively private, grounded lifestyle. Since the 1970s, she has resided primarily in Idaho, owning a 128-acre estate, the Robinson Bar Ranch, valued at $9.9 million to $16 million. She focuses on environmental activism, supporting groups like the Alliance for the Wild Rockies, and political causes, having campaigned for John Kerry and Barack Obama. King balances her legacy with occasional musical projects and public appearances for special events. She is not publicly known to have a romantic partner as of 2025, living a quieter life away from the spotlight.
Carole King Assets
King’s notable assets include:
Robinson Bar Ranch, Idaho: A 128-acre property with a 7,337-square-foot mansion, a professional recording studio, a caretaker’s home, a guest cabin, equestrian facilities, and a greenhouse. Purchased for millions, its current value is estimated at $9.9 million or higher.
Music Catalog: A valuable asset, her 400+ song catalog generates consistent royalties from album sales, streaming, and licensing.
Real Estate: While the Idaho estate is her primary known property, speculation exists about additional holdings in New York or elsewhere, though details are scarce.
Her wealth reflects not just financial success but her lasting cultural impact.
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FAQs
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2025?
As of 2025, Carole King’s net worth is estimated at $100 million, amassed through album sales, songwriting royalties, live performances, and licensing deals.
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2024?
As of 2024, Carole King’s net worth is estimated to be around $70 million.
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2023?
As of 2023, Carole King’s estimated net worth was approximately $96 million.
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2022?
As of 2022, Carole King’s estimated net worth was approximately $87 million.
What is Carole King’s net worth in 2021?
As of 2021, Carole King’s estimated net worth was approximately $70 million.
How did Carole King become famous?
King rose to fame in the 1960s as a Brill Building songwriter with hits like “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.” Her 1971 solo album Tapestry catapulted her to superstardom, selling over 30 million copies.
What are some of Carole King’s biggest hits?
Iconic songs include “It’s Too Late,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “The Loco-Motion,” and “Will You Love Me Tomorrow.”
How many Grammy Awards has Carole King won?
She has won four Grammy Awards, all in 1972 for Tapestry: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Where does Carole King live?
King primarily resides in Idaho at her Robinson Bar Ranch, a 128-acre estate, since the 1970s, embracing a quieter life focused on activism and occasional music.
Is Carole King still active in music?
While she announced a retirement from new music in 2012, King remains involved in special projects, like performing Tapestry live in 2016, and her catalog continues to generate income.
How many children does Carole King have?
She has four children: musicians Louise Goffin and Sherry Goffin Kondor, artist Molly Larkey, and Levi Larkey, from her first two marriages.
What is Carole King’s most successful album?
Tapestry (1971) is her most successful, selling over 30 million copies, topping charts for 15 weeks, and earning multiple Grammys.
Social Media Handle
Instagram: @caroleking
