Is Mary Chapin Carpenter Related To Harry Chapin? Who Are Mary Chapin And Harry Chapin?
by Preethi | Updated Sep 19, 2023

Is Mary Chapin Carpenter Related to Harry Chapin?
Yes, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Harry Chapin are related. They're fifth cousins, which means they share some family history, but they're not extremely close relatives. Both of them are well-known singers and songwriters.
Harry Chapin was known for his humanitarian work as well, and he had a big influence on music that aimed to make a positive impact, like charity events and fundraisers. So, while they're not siblings or very close cousins, they share a connection through their family and their love for music and making a difference in the world.
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Who is Mary Chapin Carpenter?
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American singer and songwriter known for her contributions to country, folk, Americana, and soft rock music. Carpenter's music career began in the late 1980s when she signed with Columbia Records. Her debut album, "Hometown Girl," was released in 1987, but it wasn't until her 1989 album "State of the Heart" that she gained widespread recognition.
Carpenter's most successful album, "Come On Come On," released in 1992, accounted for several hit singles and received quadruple platinum certification in the United States. She has won multiple Grammy Awards for her work, particularly in the category of Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
Name |
Mary Chapin Carpenter |
Date of Birth |
February 21, 1958 |
Place of Birth |
Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. |
Age |
65 years |
Alma Mater |
Brown University |
Occupations |
Singer-songwriter |
Genres |
Country, Folk, Americana, Soft Rock |
Instruments |
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar |
Years Active |
1987–present |
Labels |
Columbia Nashville, Zoë, Lambent Light/Thirty Tigers |
Spouse |
Timmy Smith (married 2002; divorced 2010) |
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Mary Chapin Carpenter Age
Mary Chapin Carpenter is currently 65 years old, having been born on February 21, 1958. In her early life, she grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. She pursued her education at Brown University. Carpenter's interest in music developed from a young age, and she spent several years performing in clubs in the Washington, D.C. area before her music career took off in the late 1980s. Her early life and experiences in the local music scene played a significant role in shaping her eventual career as a singer-songwriter.
Mary Chapin Carpenter Career
Mary Chapin Carpenter's career has spanned over three decades. She signed with Columbia Records in 1987 and released her debut album, "Hometown Girl," that same year. While it didn't produce chart-topping singles, it garnered attention in folk music circles.
Her breakthrough came with the 1989 album "State of the Heart," which produced her first top-ten hit, "How Do." Carpenter continued to release successful albums like "Come On Come On" (1992), which went quadruple platinum, and "Stones in the Road" (1994), which won her a Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
Mary Chapin Carpenter Personal life
In her personal life, Mary Chapin Carpenter was married to Timmy Smith from 2002 to 2010. The couple lived on a farm outside Charlottesville, Virginia, before their divorce. Some of Carpenter's songs, including "What to Keep and What to Throw Away," were inspired by her divorce.
She has also been involved in various charitable activities and wrote columns related to music and politics for The Washington Times in 2008-2009. Carpenter's political views have been described as liberal, and she has expressed her opinions on the political landscape within the country music community.
Mary Chapin Carpenter Net Worth
Mary Chapin Carpenter's net worth is estimated to be $8 million. Throughout her successful music career, she achieved commercial success with hit albums and singles, Grammy Awards, and a devoted fan base. Carpenter's financial standing reflects her accomplishments as a renowned singer-songwriter in the country and folk music genres.
Who is Harry Chapin?
Harry Chapin was a famous American singer-songwriter known for his folk and pop rock songs. He was born on December 7, 1942, in New York City, and sadly passed away on July 16, 1981, in East Meadow, New York, at the age of 38.
Harry Chapin became a global sensation during the 1970s and achieved great success in the music industry. He is most famous for his hit songs "Taxi" and "Cat's In The Cradle." Besides his music career, Chapin was a dedicated humanitarian who worked to fight hunger worldwide and received recognition for his efforts.
Name |
Harry Chapin |
Birth Date |
December 7, 1942 |
Birth Place |
New York City, U.S. |
Death Date |
July 16, 1981 |
Death Place |
East Meadow, New York, U.S. |
Age at Death |
38 years |
Alma Mater |
Cornell University (no degree) |
Genres |
Folk rock, pop rock |
Occupations |
Singer-songwriter, philanthropist |
Instruments |
Vocals, guitar, piano, trumpet, harmonica |
Years Active |
1950s–1981 |
Record Labels |
Elektra, Boardwalk, Sequel Records, DCC Compact Classics, Chapin Productions |
Harry Chapin Career
Harry Chapin's music journey began in the early 1970s when he signed a big recording contract with Elektra Records. His first album, "Heads & Tales," released in 1972, became a major hit, largely thanks to the song "Taxi," which received extensive radio support. His second album, "Sniper and Other Love Songs," also from 1972, included the popular track "Sunday Morning Sunshine."
Chapin's career peak occurred between 1973 and 1975. His album "Short Stories" and his most successful work, "Verities and Balderdash," sold millions of copies. "Cat's in the Cradle," a song from this album, became a massive hit. During this time, he gained widespread recognition and even earned Grammy Award nominations.
Harry Chapin Personal life
In his personal life, Harry Chapin married Sandra Gaston, a New York socialite, two years after they met in 1966. Their love story is beautifully captured in Chapin's song "I Wanna Learn a Love Song." Together, they had two children, Jennifer and Joshua, and Chapin became the stepfather to Sandra's three children from a previous marriage, Jaime, Jason, and Jonathan. Their relationship was a significant source of inspiration for many of Chapin's songs, including "Shooting Star" and "Sandy."
Despite his untimely death in 1981, Harry Chapin's music and humanitarian legacy continue to influence and inspire people around the world. He remains a beloved figure in the world of folk and pop rock music, remembered for his heartfelt songs and his dedication to making the world a better place.
Is Mary Chapin Carpenter Related To Harry Chapin? - FAQs
Yes, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Harry Chapin are fifth cousins.
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American singer and songwriter known for her country, folk, Americana, and soft rock music.
Mary Chapin Carpenter is 65 years old, born on February 21, 1958, in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Mary Chapin Carpenter's career is known for her Grammy-winning contributions to country and folk music, particularly her successful album "Come On Come On."
Mary Chapin Carpenter's net worth is estimated to be $8 million.