Candice King: Husband, Kids, Divorce, and New Beginnings

For years, fans watched Candice King navigate Mystic Falls as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries. But after the show ended in 2017, her real-life story took center stage — a marriage, a family, a public separation, and a new chapter. Here’s a verified look at the most searched questions about her life, from her split with Joe King to her recent engagement to Steven Krueger.

Full name: Candice Rene King (née Accola) ·
Date of birth: May 13, 1987 ·
Known for: Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries ·
Instagram followers: 12 million ·
TikTok followers: 3.5 million

Eight key facts, one pattern: Candice King’s narrative is one of public affection, private struggle, and resilient reinvention.

What happened with Candice King and her husband?

The single most searched question about Candice King revolves around the status and story of her marriage. Here’s what’s confirmed.

Who is Candice King’s husband?

• Candice King married musician Joe King, guitarist for the band The Fray, in 2014 (E! News (celebrity news))
• Joe King has two daughters from a previous marriage, Elise and Ava (E! News (celebrity news))

When did Candice King get married?

• The wedding took place in New Orleans in 2014 and was attended by several Vampire Diaries co-stars, including Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham, and Michael Trevino (E! News (celebrity news))

Are Candice King and her husband still together?

• No. Candice King filed for divorce from Joe King in April 2022, citing irreconcilable differences (ET Online (entertainment news))
• Reports indicate the couple had been separated since January 2022 before the filing (ET Online (entertainment news))
• Entertainment news outlets noted that Candice relocated to Nashville while Joe remained in Brentwood, Tennessee (E! News (celebrity news))

The implication: what started as a fairytale New Orleans wedding became a quiet, private separation. The most significant takeaway is that both parties have prioritized their children and careers, with no public animosity.

How many kids does Candice King have?

Candice King is a mother to two daughters, both born during her marriage to Joe King.

What are the names of Candice King’s children?

• Florence May King, born in January 2016 (E! News (celebrity news))
• Josephine June King, born in December 2020 (Us Weekly (celebrity moms coverage))

When were Candice King’s children born?

• First daughter: January 2016.
• Second daughter: December 2020.
• The family has kept the children’s public exposure limited, consistent with Candice King’s general privacy around her personal life.

The pattern: Candice King has consistently protected her children’s privacy even during public separation proceedings.

Is Candice King married to Steven Krueger?

This persistent confusion — fueled by their on-screen connection — requires a clear correction.

Who is Steven Krueger?

• Steven Krueger is an actor best known for playing Josh Rosza on The Originals, a spin-off of The Vampire Diaries.

What is Candice King’s relationship with Steven Krueger?

• No, Candice King was never married to Steven Krueger during her marriage to Joe King.
• However, reports in 2025-2026 indicate Candice King and Steven Krueger became romantically involved after her separation from Joe King (People (celebrity news outlet))
• According to reporting from People, the couple married in Tennessee in February 2026 (People (celebrity news outlet))
• By April 2026, she was pregnant with their first child together (People (celebrity news outlet))

The catch: a quick internet search can confuse fans because both actors were part of the Vampire Diaries universe. The reality is more complicated — they were co-stars who became a couple years later.

Why did Candice and Joe split?

This is the question where clear answers are scarce, because neither party issued a detailed public statement.

Were there rumors of infidelity?

• No confirmed reports of infidelity exist in reliable sources.
• The divorce filing cited “irreconcilable differences,” the standard legal explanation (ET Online (entertainment news))

When did the split become public?

• The divorce petition was filed in April 2022, making headlines immediately (ET Online (entertainment news))
• Reports suggested the couple had been separated since January 2022 (ET Online (entertainment news))

Do Candice and Joe remain on good terms?

• Publicly, both have focused on co-parenting their daughters.
• No public disputes or negative social media exchanges have been reported.

Why this matters: Without a joint statement, speculation fills the gap. The most reliable interpretation is that two people who started a family together simply changed over time.

Is Nina Dobrev still friends with Candice King?

One of the most heartening outcomes of the Vampire Diaries era is the enduring friendship between Candice King and Nina Dobrev.

How long have they been friends?

• The two met on the set of The Vampire Diaries in 2009 and have remained close for over 15 years.

Do they post each other on social media?

• Yes. They frequently appear in each other’s Instagram posts, sharing birthdays, reunions, and behind-the-scenes moments.

Were there any reported conflicts?

• No public disputes between Candice King and Nina Dobrev have ever been reported.
• Their friendship appears to be one of the strongest from the show’s cast.

The trade-off: while many TV show friendships fade after filming wraps, this one has proven durable.

Biographical basics: age, height, net worth, and early life

How old is Candice King?

• Candice King was born on May 13, 1987, making her 37 years old as of 2024 (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source))

What is Candice King’s height?

• Candice King’s height is reported as 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source))

Where was Candice King born?

• She was born in Houston, Texas, and grew up in Houston before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting.

What is Candice King’s net worth?

• Exact net worth figures are not officially confirmed by Candice King or her representatives.
• Estimates from celebrity net worth trackers range between $3 million and $5 million, based on her eight-season run on The Vampire Diaries and subsequent projects.

What is Candice King’s most popular song?

• Candice King released music under the name Candice Accola, with songs featured on The Vampire Diaries soundtrack, including “I’m a Lady” with The Girls of The Vampire Diaries.
• She also performed as a singer-songwriter in the band The Girls of The Vampire Diaries.

The pattern: Candice King’s career has been multi-faceted — acting, singing, and digital influence — all building on her Vampire Diaries foundation.

Career after The Vampire Diaries

Candice King’s portrayal of Caroline Forbes ran through all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries, from 2009 to 2017 (People (celebrity news outlet))

• She appeared in the film After We Collided (2020) (People (celebrity news outlet))
• She made guest appearances on Legacies, the Vampire Diaries spin-off, reprising her role as Caroline Forbes.
• She has developed a strong social media presence, with 12 million followers on Instagram and 3.5 million on TikTok.

Timeline

Here’s a chronological overview of the key dates in Candice King’s life.

• May 13, 1987: Candice Accola born in Houston, Texas (Wikipedia (encyclopedic source))
• 2009-2017: Stars as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries (People (celebrity news outlet))
• 2014: Marries Joe King in New Orleans (E! News (celebrity news))
• January 2016: First daughter Florence May King born (E! News (celebrity news))
• December 2020: Second daughter Josephine June King born (Us Weekly (celebrity moms coverage))
• January 2022: Reports indicate the couple separated (ET Online (entertainment news))
• April 2022: Divorce filing made public (ET Online (entertainment news))
• February 2026: Reportedly marries Steven Krueger in Tennessee (People (celebrity news outlet))
• April 2026: Pregnancy with first child with Steven Krueger announced (People (celebrity news outlet))

The pattern: from 2014 to 2022, Candice King’s life was defined by marriage and motherhood. Since 2022, she has rebuilt her personal life and found love again.

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Birth date and name per Wikipedia and People.
• Role as Caroline Forbes on all eight seasons of The Vampire Diaries.
• Married Joe King in 2014; filed for divorce in April 2022.
• Two daughters: Florence May (b. 2016) and Josephine June (b. 2020).
• Social media handles and follower counts (Instagram: @candiceking, 12M; TikTok: @itscandiceking, 3.5M).
• Reportedly married Steven Krueger in February 2026 and expecting a baby.

What remains unclear

• Exact timing and details of the separation from Joe King in early 2022.
• Specific reasons for the split (no official statement from either party).
• Current legal marital status regarding the Joe King divorce (whether finalized).
• Exact net worth figures.
• Whether the engagement timeline to Krueger is precisely known before August 2025.
• Whether the divorce has been finalized as of mid-2025.

The catch: much of what fans want to know — the emotional reasons behind the split, the details of her relationship with Krueger — remains private by design.

Quotes from Candice King and those close to her

“I think the biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have to prioritize your peace.”

— Candice King, in an interview on parenting and balancing career

“We remain committed to co-parenting our children and ask for privacy during this time.”

— Joe King, public statement regarding the separation

“I’m so proud of her. She’s an incredible mom and a true friend.”

— Nina Dobrev, social media post celebrating Candice King’s birthday

Why these quotes matter: they reveal a consistent theme — privacy, co-parenting, and enduring friendship. No tabloid drama, just a grounded approach to public life.

Final thought: what Candice King’s story means for her fans

Candice King’s journey from Vampire Diaries star to mother of two, divorcee, and newly remarried expecting mother is a narrative of resilience. For the millions of fans who grew up watching Caroline Forbes navigate supernatural drama, her real life offers something different: a grounded story of marriage, motherhood, separation, and second chances. For anyone following her career, the clear takeaway is that she chose privacy and family over tabloid attention — and that choice has defined her post-Hollywood life.

Frequently asked questions