7 Surprising Facts About Brandi Carlile's Enduring Marriage To Catherine Shepherd (Updated 2025)
Brandi Carlile is a powerhouse in the music industry, known for her raw, honest lyrics and genre-bending sound, but her personal life is just as inspiring to her millions of fans. As of this current date in December 2025, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter is happily and firmly married to her wife, Catherine Shepherd, a partnership that has been a cornerstone of her life and career for over a decade. The couple's journey from a transatlantic phone call to becoming one of the most visible and beloved lesbian couples in pop culture offers a beautiful, grounded counterpoint to the chaos of fame, establishing a family foundation in the Pacific Northwest.
Their enduring marriage, which began with a wedding in 2012, is more than just a personal commitment; it’s a public statement about love, family, and queer visibility in the music world. Catherine Shepherd, who has transitioned from a philanthropic executive to Carlile's manager, is a steady force in the artist's life, and together they are raising their two daughters. This deep dive into their life reveals the fresh, current details of their relationship, their family, and their shared professional endeavors.
Brandi Carlile & Catherine Shepherd: A Complete Biographical Profile
The story of Brandi Carlile and Catherine Shepherd is one of shared values, professional collaboration, and deep, lasting love. Their profiles reveal two individuals who have found perfect harmony both on and off the stage.
- Brandi Carlile (Musician & Author)
- Full Name: Brandi Marie Carlile
- Born: June 1, 1981 (Age 44 as of 2025)
- Hometown: Ravensdale, Washington, U.S.
- Spouse: Catherine Shepherd (m. 2012)
- Children: Evangeline Ruth Carlile and Elijah Carlile
- Occupation: Singer-songwriter, producer, author, activist
- Notable Works: The Story, By The Way, I Forgive You, In These Silent Days, The Highwomen (supergroup), Broken Horses (memoir)
- Catherine Shepherd (Manager & Philanthropist)
- Full Name: Catherine Carlile (née Shepherd)
- Born: Circa 1975 (Age 50 as of 2025)
- Hometown: United Kingdom
- Spouse: Brandi Carlile (m. 2012)
- Children: Evangeline Ruth Carlile and Elijah Carlile
- Occupation: Philanthropic executive, artist manager (Brandi Carlile’s manager)
- Notable Affiliations: Formerly worked for Paul McCartney's charity, co-founder of the Looking Out Foundation.
- Family Background: Daughter of prominent British actor Jack Shepherd.
The Unexpected Love Story: From Transatlantic Call to Washington Wedding
The foundation of Brandi Carlile's marriage to Catherine Shepherd is a testament to fate and modern connection. Their relationship began in an entirely professional and long-distance capacity, blossoming into a lifelong commitment.
How Brandi Carlile Met Her Wife, Catherine
Their love story is one of the most unique in the music world. Brandi Carlile and Catherine Shepherd first connected over the phone in 2009. At the time, Catherine was a philanthropic executive working in the UK for a charity founded by Beatles legend Paul McCartney. Brandi, already an established musician, was working on a project with the same organization, leading to their initial contact.
The connection was immediate and profound, evolving beyond professional courtesy. They finally met in person in 2010, backstage at one of Brandi's shows. This first face-to-face meeting solidified the emotional bond they had forged over the phone, leading to Catherine relocating to the United States to be with Brandi.
The 2012 Wedding and Anniversary Milestones
Brandi and Catherine were married in a beautiful ceremony in Boston, Massachusetts, in September 2012. Carlile described the wedding as a "total blast," held in a "falling down barn," which perfectly encapsulates their grounded, authentic style. Their wedding day marked the beginning of a partnership that has now spanned over a decade, with the couple marking 13 years of marriage in September 2025.
Their marriage is a powerful symbol of LGBTQ+ love and stability, proving that a high-profile career can coexist with a deeply private and committed family life. Carlile often credits Catherine as her rock and the steadying force that allows her to pursue her creative and professional ambitions.
Family Life and Queer Parenting: Raising Evangeline and Elijah
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Brandi and Catherine's life is their commitment to family. The couple are proud mothers to two daughters, a journey that Carlile has openly discussed, offering a candid look into queer parenting.
Meet Their Daughters: Evangeline Ruth and Elijah
Brandi and Catherine knew they wanted to start a family immediately after their marriage. They are mothers to two girls:
- Evangeline Ruth Carlile: Born on June 15, 2014, making her 11 years old as of 2025. Evangeline has already shown musical gifts and was featured in a live music video for one of her mother's songs.
- Elijah Carlile: Born in 2018 (or 2019), making her approximately seven years old as of 2025.
In various interviews and her memoir, Brandi Carlile has spoken extensively about the complexities and joys of being a queer parent. She has shared that they define their family life on their own terms, focusing on love, acceptance, and a deep connection to nature at their home in Washington State.
The Importance of Their Washington Home Base
Despite Brandi's demanding touring schedule with her band and supergroup The Highwomen, the family maintains a grounded life in the Pacific Northwest. Their home serves as an anchor, a place where Brandi can fully embrace her role as a mother and wife. This stability is a key entity in their life, allowing Brandi to balance her artistic intensity with the demands of raising a young family.
The Professional Partnership: Catherine as Carlile's Manager
The Carlile-Shepherd marriage is not just a personal one; it has also become a powerful professional collaboration. Catherine Shepherd’s transition to becoming Brandi’s manager is a significant and recent development that has shaped Carlile’s career trajectory.
From Philanthropy to Artist Management
Catherine Carlile’s background is rooted in philanthropy, notably her work with Paul McCartney's charity. This experience provided her with a strong foundation in executive management, organizational skills, and a clear vision for impact—skills she now applies to managing her wife's career.
This professional pairing is a unique power dynamic, where the artist and manager share an unparalleled level of trust and understanding. Catherine's role ensures that Brandi's career decisions align not only with her artistic vision but also with her values and family life, allowing Brandi to focus on her creative output and activism.
Shared Activism: The Looking Out Foundation
The couple's shared commitment to making a difference is channeled through The Looking Out Foundation, which Brandi Carlile founded in 2008. Catherine’s philanthropic expertise has been instrumental in expanding the foundation's reach and impact. The foundation supports various causes, including health, education, and the arts, often raising money through Carlile's tours and events. This shared work adds a layer of purpose and topical authority to their public image, showcasing them as a couple dedicated to social change.
The answer to "is Brandi Carlile married" is a resounding yes, and the details of her life with Catherine Shepherd offer a compelling narrative of love, family, and professional synergy in the modern age.
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