Karen Carpenter Bio, Net Worth, Age, Height, Married, Husband & Kids

Karen Carpenter was an American singer and drummer, best known as a part of the duo, the Carpenters. She was also notable for her contralto vocals and her drumming abilities. The Rolling Stones‘ listed her as one of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Before her demise, Carpenter featured in the musical drama film, The Karen Carpenter Story.

At the time of her death, Carpenter was a divorced woman. She spent the most joyful and romantic moments with her lovely ex-husband. So, does she share any children from her marriage with her former spouse?

Who Is Karen Anne Carpenter? Bio & Wiki

Karen was born as Karen Anne Carpenter on 2nd March 1950, in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Moreover, Carpenter was an American by her nationality, and her ethnicity was Caucasian white.

Carpenter was the youngest child of Agnes Reuwer Tatum (mother, 1915-1996) and Harold Bertram Carpenter (father, 1908-1988). She grew up with her elder brother, Richard, a musician.

At the age of 14, Carpenter attended Downey High School in 1964. Later, she graduated from high school in the spring of 1967 with the honor of the John Philip Sousa Band Award. Upon graduation, Carpenter enrolled at Long Beach State, where she performed as a music major in the college choir with her brother.

Karen Carpenter’s Career

Karen Carpenter started her career from her first band, Two Plus Two, the all-girl trio formed with her friends from High School in 1965. Later, she developed the Richard Carpenter Trio with Wes Jacobs, a bassist and tuba player. The band rehearsed daily playing jazz in nightclubs and featured on the talent show, Your All-American College Show.

Check out Karen Carpenter’s first solo record!

Carpenter made her debut with her first solo record, Looking for Love / I’ll Be Yours in 1967. Further, she released her second studio album, Offering in 1969 and Close to You in 1970. Carpenter also recorded many musical albums, including Made in America, A Kind of Hush, etc. Likewise, her movie credits are Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, Only Yesterday: The Carpenters Story, etc.

How Much Is Karen Carpenter’s Net Worth?

Karen Carpenter had a net worth of $6 Million at the time of her death. She made lucrative earnings up to $500 Thousand from $800 Thousand annually. Having an impressive wealth, she also earned a fruitful fortune from her other works, which include advertisements, endorsement deals, etc. Similarly, her husband’s net worth is pretended to be around $1 Million.

Karen made her appearance in the American talk show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson with Bob Nelson and Teresa Ganzel. Nelson and Ganzel have a handsome net worth of $1 Million and $3 Million respectively. She also appeared with many famous celebrities who have maintained a substantial wealth.

Carpenter’s House

Karen Carpenter and her husband purchased a house in Downey, California, at the price of $2.6 Million. Their home measures 2,489 square feet in size, consisting of three bedrooms, two and a half bathroom.

Carpenter and her spouse bought this home for their parents and was the final home and the site of Karen’s death in 1983. So we can say she lived a lavish life in her luxurious house.

Who Was Karen Carpenter’s Spouse?

Karen Carpenter was married to her husband, Thomas James Burris, a real estate developer. The couple had their first encounter in a birthday party of a mutual friend. Shortly they became friends after introducing them to each other. After spending a lovely time together, they started sharing their company and became lovers.

Carpenter’s spouse, Burris, proposed her for marriage with a diamond ring. Well, Carpenter happily accepted the proposal. Later, the pair tied the knot on 31st August 1980, at the Beverly Hills Hotel in the Crystal Room. However, after three years of marriage, their relationship ended due to some misunderstandings on 28th October 1982.

Death

After the divorce, Carpenter met her brother for the last time on 1st February 1983, and discussed new places for their band and resumed touring. Shortly she fell in her bedroom at her parent’s home in Downey. Later, paramedics found her heart beating once every 10 seconds. On 4th February 1983, her family announced the death of Carpenter at Downey Community Hospital at 9:51 am.

Carpenter’s funeral was held at Downey United Methodist Church, on 8th February 1983. Her estranged husband also came at her funeral and tossed his wedding ring into her casket. Her family buried her at the Forst Lawn Memorial Park in Cypress, California. In 2003, Carpenter’s body was re-buried with her parents in a mausoleum at the Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village, California.

Interesting Facts About Karen Carpenter

• Karen Carpenter’s band franchise is huge and famous in Japan.
• E! magazine ranked her #30 on Most Shocking Moments In Entertainment Industry.
• I Need to Be In Love was her favorite Carpenters song.
• Throughout her musical career, Carpenter won three Grammy Awards.
• Her fans often called her Freckle Face as well by her peers.