Carole King is an American singer-songwriter who was born on February 9, 1942. She is currently 81 years old as of today, October 16, 2023. King has had an extensive and renowned career in the music industry spanning over six decades. Some of her most well-known songs include “It’s Too Late”, “You’ve Got a Friend”, and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”.
How Old is Carole King?
Carole King was born on February 9, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York. This means that as of today, October 16, 2023, she is 81 years old. Her upcoming 82nd birthday is on February 9, 2024.
Some key facts about Carole King’s age:
- She was born in 1942, which makes her part of the Silent Generation.
- She released her first hit song “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” with the Shirelles in 1960 when she was 18 years old.
- Her iconic album “Tapestry” was released in 1971 when she was 29 years old.
- She has continued performing and releasing new music well into her 70s and 80s.
- As an 81-year-old, she is still actively involved in the music industry writing, recording, and performing.
So in summary, the legendary singer-songwriter Carole King was born in 1942 and is currently 81 years of age as of October 16, 2023. She has had an extraordinarily long and successful career in the music business.
Carole King’s Background and Career
Carole King was born Carol Joan Klein in Brooklyn, New York to a Jewish family. She developed an interest in music at a young age, learning to play piano by age 4. In the late 1950s, King began songwriting professionally with her then-husband Gerry Goffin.
Some key career highlights include:
- Her first hit song was “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” which she wrote at age 17 with Goffin for the Shirelles.
- She wrote numerous top-selling songs in the 1960s for artists like The Drifters, Aretha Franklin, and The Monkees.
- Her iconic solo album “Tapestry” was released in 1971, and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.
- She won 4 Grammy Awards in 1972 including Album of the Year for “Tapestry.”
- She continued releasing popular albums throughout the 1970s and beyond.
- In the 1990s she returned to songwriting for artists like Celine Dion and Mariah Carey.
- In 2013 she became the first woman ever inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- Her lifetime achievements include 4 Grammys, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and over 75 million records sold.
Now in her 80s, Carole King remains an active musician, touring frequently and continuing to write and record new music. She is considered one of the most significant singer-songwriters and pianists of the 20th century.
How Carole King Stays Healthy and Active at 81
At 81 years old, Carole King remains surprisingly youthful and energetic. She attributes her good health to staying active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle:
- She stays fit by walking frequently when she is not on tour.
- She does stretching and light strength training exercises several times a week.
- She eats a nutritious diet focusing on whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
- She practices mindfulness, meditation, and yoga to manage stress.
- She remains mentally engaged by writing new songs, learning new material, and collaborating with other artists.
- She avoids smoking and only drinks alcohol moderately.
- She makes time for relaxing hobbies like gardening and cooking.
- She surrounds herself with a strong support network of family and friends.
King emphasizes that she lives life to the fullest each day and doesn’t dwell on her age. Staying passionate about music and performing also keeps her feeling youthful and energized. Her healthy habits have allowed her to age gracefully while continuing to entertain audiences decades after her career began.
Carole King’s Upcoming Plans
Even as an octogenarian, Carole King shows no signs of slowing down musically. She continues to tour frequently, with over 70 concerts scheduled across the U.S. and Europe in 2022 alone. Some of her upcoming plans include:
- Finishing her new album of original songs that she hopes to release in 2023.
- Adding more tour dates for 2023 and 2024 when she will be 82-83 years old.
- Possibly collaborating with young artists who have been influenced by her work.
- Advocating for social causes she believes in, like environmentalism.
- Spending time with her four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
- Mentoring up-and-coming young female singers and songwriters.
King has said she plans to continue performing live and making new music for as long as she finds joy in it. Given her seemingly endless energy and passion, it appears likely fans will be able to enjoy Carole King’s talents for many years to come. She remains an inspiration to music lovers of all ages.
Conclusion
In summary, legendary singer-songwriter Carole King was born in 1942 and is currently 81 years old as of October 16, 2023. She has had an extraordinarily prolific and successful six decade career writing hit songs since the late 1950s and releasing acclaimed albums of her own music. King is still actively touring, recording new music, and mentoring younger artists even as an octogenarian. Her good health and youthful energy can be attributed to staying fit, eating well, practicing mindfulness, and doing what she loves. Carole King’s talents have touched millions over her lifetime, and fans are excited to see what she accomplishes in the coming years as one of music’s most iconic living legends.