Carly Simon Turns 78 - Inside Her Life With Grandson & Kids in Martha’s Vineyard After Divorce From Gay Husband (2024)

Carly Elisabeth Simon was born on June 25, 1945, in The Bronx, New York City. She's a singer-songwriter, musician, actress, and children's author who bagged her first Grammy for Best New Artist in 1971. In 1972, she released her first song, "You're So Vain," which sparked speculation for years regarding its subject.

After decades of intrigue, Simon revealed in 2015 that the song's second verse referred to actor Warren Beatty, while the remaining verses drew inspiration from two other unidentified men. Possible inspirations for "You're So Vain" include James Taylor, Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, and Kris Kristofferson, sparking speculation among fans.

Simon achieved a remarkable feat in 1988 by becoming the first artist to win the Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe for her song, "Let the River Run."

As one of the most popular singers in the '70s, Simon has produced several hits, including "Anticipation," "You Belong To Me," "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of," and several others.

The megastar is celebrating her 78th birthday today, and we wish her nothing but the best with her future endeavors. Let's take a brief look at her life now with her children and the exciting role she's proudly embraced over the years.

Details about Simon's Marriage to the Father of Her Children

Simon and Taylor were once regarded as folk rock's power couple in the '70s and early '80s. Despite their tumultuous split almost 40 years ago, Simon's enduring love for Taylor remains, even though it wasn't reportedly reciprocated.

In her memoir, "Boys in the Trees," released in November 2015, Simon reflected on their stormy relationship. They were married in 1972 and had two kids before parting ways in 1983 due to Taylor's reported addiction and infidelity. Simon still lives in their shared Martha's Vineyard home.

Carly Simon and James Taylor | Source: Getty Images

Despite the pain caused by Taylor's alleged lack of regard, Simon noted that her loyalty to him remained strong. Writing the book allowed her to realize that she could love someone without expecting it to be returned.

The reasons behind Taylor's refusal to communicate with Simon remain unknown, leaving the "Why" singer questioning her own actions.

Carly Simon and James Hart attend the grand opening of Planet Hollywood on October 22, 1991, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Simon reminisced about seeing Taylor's picture on the cover of Time magazine and declaring to her sister that she would marry him one day—a prediction that actually came true. She wondered why she was the fortunate one among countless other girls who might have wished for the same. Simon pondered if their connection was predestined and reflected on the fact that she still resided in the house that was once his.

Following her separation from Taylor, Simon was said to have turned to drugs as a means of escape but claimed she never became addicted, as it wasn't in her nature. At the same time, she denied that Taylor's drug addiction was solely responsible for their split, stating that other factors could have strained their relationship.

After marrying poet James Hart in 1987, Simon discovered that he was gay, but they have reportedly maintained a strong friendship since their divorce in 2007. In addition to her two divorces, Simon has been romantically involved with Martha's Vineyard surgeon Richard Koehler.

Simon's two children, Sally and Ben Taylor are the loves of her life. According to her daughter, Simon is exceptionally intelligent and has an impressive command of words.

Sally mentioned that her mom stuttered as a kid, which led her to develop a wide range of substitute words to overcome it. As a result, she possessed an extensive vocabulary, contributing to her talent as a great writer.

During her Peruvian walkabout at the age of 20, Sally visited the Nasca lines, ancient geoglyphs that are best viewed from the air. Unfortunately, the small plane she was in crashed on the Pan-American Highway. In that critical moment, Sally said she had two thoughts: if she survived, she wanted to pursue a career in music and have children.

Despite being aware of the overshadowing presence of her renowned parents, Simon and Taylor, she had initially resisted entering their field. Unlike her brother, Ben, who had come to terms with the challenges of the family business, Sally had been less troubled by its difficulties.

While spending time with his family on Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 2018, Ben shared intriguing details about his mom. Commenting on Simon's peony obsession, he noted how her passion for them was incredibly infectious. Ben recounted finding a note in the kitchen that morning, likely from her mom, where she had requested that 20 peonies be collected so that she could arrange them.

Musician Carly Simon and daughter Sally Taylor attend the co*cktail party to celebrate Melissa Auf der Maur's photo exhibiton "The Kids Are Alright" on July 24, 2002, at Sotheby's in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Musician Carly Simon and son Ben Taylor attend the "Danny the Champion of the World" New York City premiere party on November 18, 1989, at Hard Rock Cafe in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

A Brief Look into Carly Simon's Life Now

Simon's life wasn't always filled with the glitz and glam of the entertainment industry. The "Hurt" singer lost her sisters Joanna and Lucy a day apart to cancer in 2022. Earlier, in 2018, her younger brother, photographer Peter Simon tragically passed away at 71 after his lung cancer diagnosis.

The legendary musician shared how devastated she was to be the only remaining direct child of her parents, Richard and Andrea Simon. She also expressed how fortunate she was to know her siblings and would try her best to honor their memories.

Having remained strong in the face of adversity, Simon's life changed pleasantly when she became a grandmother. In October 2007, her daughter Sally welcomed a son, Bodhi, with her husband Dean Bragonier, making her a mother and her own mom a proud grandma.

Over the years, Simon has fully embraced her role as a grandparent and loves singing to and doting over her grandson, Bodhi. The two share an incredible connection, evident from Simon's social media posts.

Simon wrote her memoir, "Boys in the Trees," to share her life story with her children and grandkids. The memoir delved into the dissolution of her marriage to Taylor and her high-profile relationships with Warren Beatty, Cat Stevens, Jack Nicholson, and Mick Jagger.

Writing the memoir proved to be a cathartic experience for Simon, who continues to write and work on other books. Alongside her literary pursuits, she remains active in her music career, often collaborating with her children and friends on the island.

Simon takes pride in her grandson, Bodhi, describing him as a remarkable child with beautiful features. With multiple Grammys and an Oscar under her belt, Simon is reportedly embarking on new artistic endeavors while enjoying her role as a grandmother.

As she adds another year to her life, we hope Simon's birthday is as wonderful as she is, surrounded by the loving presence of those she cherishes!