paul simon wife
Paul Simon’s wife is Edie Brickell, an American singer-songwriter born on March 10, 1966, in Oak Cliff, a neighborhood of Dallas, Texas. Paul Simon is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician best known for his work with Simon & Garfunkel and for solo albums like Graceland. This article covers everything you need to know about Paul Simon’s wife, Edie Brickell — her background, her music career, how the couple met, their marriage, and their family life together.
Who Is Edie Brickell?
Edie Brickell was born Edie Arlisa Brickell on March 10, 1966, in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas. She is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who grew up in a working-class household. Her parents split when she was young, and she was raised mainly by her mother, who worked as a receptionist, while spending time with her father, a competitive bowler.
Brickell attended Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas, a magnet school known for producing creative talent. After high school, she enrolled at Southern Methodist University as an art major but left before finishing her degree once she joined a local band and decided to pursue music full time. That decision would go on to define the rest of her career and, eventually, lead her to Paul Simon.
Edie Brickell’s Career & Professional Life
Edie Brickell rose to fame in the mid-1980s as the lead singer of the Dallas-based folk-rock band Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. The group’s 1988 debut album, Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, went double platinum and produced the hit single “What I Am,” which turned Brickell into one of alternative rock’s breakout stars almost overnight.
After the band’s follow-up album had a quieter reception, Brickell launched a solo career, releasing Picture Perfect Morning in 1994 and Volcano in 2003. She later reunited with New Bohemians for the album Stranger Things and formed the band The Gaddabouts. Brickell has also built an acclaimed partnership with actor and musician Steve Martin, co-writing bluegrass music that led to a Broadway musical, Bright Star. More recently, she has collaborated with country legend Willie Nelson.
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Brickell’s estimated net worth is around $50 million, though other estimates vary. Her income comes from decades of album sales, songwriting royalties, touring, and stage work.
How Did Paul Simon and Edie Brickell Meet?
Paul Simon and Edie Brickell’s love story began at “Saturday Night Live.” On November 5, 1988, Brickell performed “What I Am” with New Bohemians as the show’s musical guest. Simon, a longtime friend of SNL creator Lorne Michaels, happened to be standing near the cameras that night, and Brickell has said the encounter was so distracting that she nearly lost her place in the song mid-performance.
The two connected shortly after at an SNL afterparty, and despite a 25-year age gap, they hit it off quickly. Their early dates reportedly included Brickell picking Simon up in an old pickup truck, a detail that has become part of their well-known origin story. The relationship moved fast: within a few years of that chance meeting backstage at 30 Rock, the couple decided to get married.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Paul Simon and Edie Brickell got married on May 30, 1992, in a private, low-key ceremony on Long Island, New York. The wedding was intimate rather than a big celebrity affair, reportedly involving a simple exchange of gold wedding bands in front of close family. The low-profile nature of the ceremony has stayed consistent with how the couple has handled their public life ever since — media-aware, but intentionally private.
Since that day in 1992, Paul Simon and Edie Brickell have remained married for more than three decades, making them one of the more enduring couples in the music industry, where high-profile relationships often don’t last.
Children & Family Life
Paul Simon and Edie Brickell have three children together. Their eldest son, Adrian Edward, was born in December 1992, just months after the wedding. Daughter Lulu Simon followed in April 1995, and their youngest son, Gabriel Elijah, was born in May 1998. Paul Simon also has an older son, Harper Simon, from his first marriage to Peggy Harper.
Music runs in the family. Harper Simon became a singer-songwriter in his own right, and in 2008 he even formed a band called The Heavy Circles alongside his stepmother, Edie Brickell. The family has generally kept their children’s lives away from heavy media coverage, letting them grow up largely outside the spotlight while still nurturing their shared love of music at home.
Edie Brickell on Social Media
Edie Brickell keeps a noticeably low profile online compared to many musicians of her stature. She maintains a presence on Facebook, where she has amassed tens of thousands of followers, but she is largely absent from platforms like Instagram and Twitter/X. When she does share updates, they tend to focus on new music, collaborations, and tour news rather than personal details, reflecting the same private approach she and Paul Simon have taken to their marriage over the years.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edie Arlisa Brickell |
| Date of Birth | March 10, 1966 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter, guitarist |
| Married to | Paul Simon |
| Marriage Year | 1992 |
| Children | 3 (Adrian, Lulu, Gabriel) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $50 million (estimates vary) |
FAQ Section
Q: What is Paul Simon’s wife’s name? A: Paul Simon’s wife is Edie Brickell, an American singer-songwriter known for fronting Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. They have been married since 1992.
Q: How old is Edie Brickell? A: Edie Brickell was born on March 10, 1966, in Dallas, Texas. That makes her in her late fifties as of 2026.
Q: What does Edie Brickell do for a living? A: Edie Brickell is a singer-songwriter and guitarist best known for the 1988 hit “What I Am.” She has also released solo albums and co-written bluegrass music with Steve Martin.
Q: When did Paul Simon and Edie Brickell get married? A: Paul Simon and Edie Brickell got married on May 30, 1992, in a private ceremony on Long Island, New York, four years after meeting on “Saturday Night Live.”
Q: How many kids do Paul Simon and Edie Brickell have? A: Paul Simon and Edie Brickell have three children together: Adrian, Lulu, and Gabriel. Simon also has an older son, Harper, from a previous marriage.
Conclusion
Edie Brickell is far more than just Paul Simon’s wife — she’s an accomplished singer-songwriter with her own decades-long career, from the multi-platinum success of “What I Am” to her ongoing musical partnerships with Steve Martin and Willie Nelson. Since meeting by chance at “Saturday Night Live” in 1988, Paul Simon and his wife have built a marriage that has lasted over 30 years while raising three children together. Their story stands out as one of music’s quieter, longer-lasting love stories.
