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As CBS aired the concert special, An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile, attention shifted to Brandi Carlile’s personal life, and more specifically, her wife, Catherine Shepherd. Shepherd, a former actress turned philanthropist, has been an instrumental part of Carlile’s life and career.
Catherine Shepherd was born in London, England, in 1975 and raised in Hammersmith. She is the daughter of the distinguished British actor Jack Shepherd, who had a long career in theatre and on television dating back to the 1960s.
While following in her father’s footsteps, appearing in British television programs such as The IT Crowd, Servants, and Dog Face, Shepherd ultimately ventured into the world of philanthropy. She ultimately took a job coordinating projects at Sir Paul McCartney’s charitable organization. It was in this role that she first connected with Brandi Carlile.
The story of Carlile and Shepherd started in 2009. Carlile supposedly reached out to McCartney’s team, asking for help with a charity event she was organizing.
Catherine Shepherd took the call, and what began as professional communication soon blossomed into something more (South China Morning Post). Carlile later confessed that she’d thought she was speaking to a way older woman, due to Shepherd’s voice and attitude.
Brandi Carlile and Catherine Shepherd got married in 2012, shortly before same-sex marriage was legalized in Carlile’s native Washington State through Referendum 74. They had two ceremonies, one in Wareham, Massachusetts, and the other in Chelsea Old Town Hall, London.
More about Catherine Shepherd’s parenthood journey and Brandi Carlile’s recent concert
The couple now shares two daughters, Evangeline, born in 2014, and Elijah, born in 2018. According to People, Brandi Carlile provided her own eggs for the first pregnancy, while Catherine Shepherd carried both children.
The choice was made mainly because of Carlile’s busy touring schedule. According to her, she had a hard time reconciling that she wasn’t the one who would carry the children. She has spoken honestly about her emotional struggle and acceptance in her memoir, Broken Horses. Now, the family resides in rural Washington State and generally lives a pretty quiet existence.
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The recent concert special was marked as a celebration of Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s careers, as it showcased their collaboration, Who Believes in Angels?, which dropped on April 4, 2025.
Those who tuned in during the hour-long event were greeted with behind-the-scenes clips about their friendship, conversation about the new album, and live performances of both artists’ biggest hits.
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