On the Walk of Fame, they are called “The Carpenters,” but fans say they are simply “Carpenters.” Album covers show they are called “Carpenters,” but it’s a common tendency to put the article in place before the name.
The Eagles, for instance, are really just “Eagles.” And, “The Facebook” social media platform decided to drop the “the” and stick with “Facebook,” a less bulky appellation.
The Carpenters’ Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Sadly, Karen missed being honored by a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame by just months. When Richard attended the ceremony he said, “This is a sad day, but at the same time a very special and beautiful day to my family and me.”
Through tears, he went on to say, “My only regret is that Karen is not physically here to share it with us, but I know that she is very much alive in our minds, and in our hearts.”
Karen and Richard Invested in Apartment Buildings
Once fame started paying off, Karen and Richard made some investment choices. The two bought apartment buildings, which is probably not a surprise, but they also personalized them.
They named one building “Close to You” and another “Only Just Begun.” It makes sense, after all, that’s where the cash flow came from!
The Ties That Bind
When it comes to family ties in Richard’s family, they started with his cousin. He married Mary Rudolph in 1984. She was the Carpenters’ road manager and also their cousin. She appeared in the Carpenters’ hit video for the single “I Need to Be in Love.”
But, to clear things up, there were no genetic risks to offspring because she is an adopted cousin. Richard and Mary share five children between them and are a happily married couple to this day.
The Carpenter Family
Richard was able to have the family Karen yearned for. Mary and Richard’s five children are Kristi Lynn, Traci Tatum, Mindi Karen (named after her aunt), Colin Paul, and Taylor Mary.
Richard takes the kids on the road from time to time. His children perform with him at Carpenter events.