Meet Catherine Shepherd, wife of Grammy-winning musician Brandi Carlile: from acting to philanthropy, connecting over the phone at Sir Paul McCartney’s foundation and sharing two daughters
The London-born former actress is the daughter of veteran British actor Jack Shepherd and is now executive director of non-profit body the Looking Out Foundation
Brandi Carlile, 43, has always reached for something bigger, on stage and in the world around her. During the recent Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter told Billboard about her dream of forming a trio with Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow. But her ambitions don’t stop there. She is keenly aware of the political climate’s impact on her family, telling the magazine, as she reflected on her role in shaping a better future: “I wake up every morning a political lesbian whether I want to or not, in a house with women raising two young women that I need to keep safe.”
Through it all, Carlile’s wife, Catherine Shepherd, 49, has been a steady force. They first connected over the phone before meeting in person backstage at a charity event, eventually marrying in 2012. They’ve since built a life focused on their children, their causes and each other’s dreams.
So, who is the woman at Brandi Carlile’s side? Here’s what we know about Catherine Shepherd.
Catherine Shepherd hails from Britain
Shepherd was born in 1975 and raised in London, per Hollywood Life. She is the daughter of British actor Jack Shepherd, a veteran performer who has appeared on stage and screen since the 1960s.
She shifted from acting to philanthropy
Per Parade, Shepherd initially pursued acting before choosing another path, which led her into philanthropic work, including a role at Sir Paul McCartney’s foundation. According to The Sun, she now serves as executive director of the Looking Out Foundation, the non-profit, music-related empowerment organisation founded by Carlile and her bandmates.