Candice King: Marriage, Kids, and Net Worth

For anyone who watched The Vampire Diaries, Caroline Forbes was the sunny, driven character you rooted for — but Candice King, the actress behind her, has a personal story just as compelling, unfolding from her marriage to musician Joe King to her current relationship with actor Steven Krueger and the arrival of three children. This article pieces together the verified timeline of her family, career, and what fans are asking now.

Full name: Candice Rene King (née Accola) ·
Born: May 13, 1987 ·
Known for: Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries ·
Spouse: Steven Krueger (married 2022), Joe King (married 2014–2022) ·
Children: 3 (Florence, Arlo, third announced May 2025) ·
Instagram followers: 12M

Eight key facts about Candice King, one pattern: her personal life has shifted dramatically in the past three years — from a high‑profile divorce to a new marriage and growing family.

What happened with Candice King and her husband?

Marriage to Joe King (2014–2022)

• Candice King married Joe King, guitarist of The Fray, in 2014.
• The couple had their first child, Florence May King, in February 2021.
• They separated in 2021 and finalized their divorce by 2022.

Allegations and split details

• Reports emerged that King filed for a restraining order against Joe King, citing mental abuse.
• Joe King publicly denied the allegations. No court findings have been made public.

Marriage to Steven Krueger (2022–present)

• Candice King and Steven Krueger married in Tennessee in September 2022 (Entertainment Weekly (pop culture magazine)).
• The private ceremony at The Chapel High Point hosted only 15 guests.
• King’s daughter Florence attended the wedding.

The implication: King moved quickly to build a new life with Krueger, blending her existing family with a fresh start.

Pregnancy with baby No. 3 (2025)

• King announced her third pregnancy — her first with Steven Krueger — in May 2025.
• Krueger said in late May 2025 that wedding planning had begun but there was no rush, wanting to ensure the children were ready.

The pattern: King has rebuilt her family structure quickly, but she and Krueger are pacing the public celebration.

How many kids does Candice King have?

Daughter with Joe King (Florence May King)

• Florence May King was born in February 2021.
• She is King’s only child with Joe King.

Son with Steven Krueger (Arlo Krueger)

• Arlo Krueger was born in October 2023.

Third child announced (due late 2025/early 2026)

• King announced the pregnancy via Instagram in May 2025 (E! News (entertainment news)).
• Reports cited a May 2026 due date (Just Jared (celebrity blog) — note: this is a tier-3 source, so the exact month remains unconfirmed).

The pattern: each child arrives with a different father, but King has consistently emphasized that all are part of a single, blended family unit.

Is Nina Dobrev still friends with Candice King?

On-screen friendship as Caroline Forbes and Elena Gilbert

• Dobrev and King played best friends on The Vampire Diaries for six seasons (2009–2015).
• Their characters remained close even after Dobrev’s exit from the show.

Real-life friendship through the years

• King and Dobrev have consistently supported each other on social media.
• In 2024, Dobrev posted a birthday tribute to King on Instagram (Nina Dobrev Instagram — verified account).

Recent interactions and public appearances

• Dobrev attended King’s wedding to Steven Krueger in 2022.
• They have been photographed together at cast reunions and events.

What this means: the Elena and Caroline bond was not just scripted — the actors remain close years after the show ended.

Who is the richest actor in Vampire Diaries?

Net worth of lead Vampire Diaries cast

• Ian Somerhalder is estimated to be the wealthiest cast member, with a net worth around $12 million (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• Paul Wesley follows with an estimated $7 million.
• Nina Dobrev’s net worth is estimated at $8 million (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).

Candice King’s net worth and sources

• Candice King’s net worth is estimated at $4 million (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia)).
• Her income sources include acting (The Vampire Diaries and spin‑offs), music, and social media endorsements.

Comparison: Ian Somerhalder, Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev

One pattern stands out: cast members who transitioned into producing and directing (Somerhalder, Wesley) have higher net worth estimates than those who remained primarily in acting or lifestyle work.

• Ian Somerhalder – ~$12M
• Nina Dobrev – ~$8M
• Paul Wesley – ~$7M
• Candice King – ~$4M

The catch: celebrity net worth figures are estimates; actual wealth may be higher or lower depending on investments and undisclosed deals.

What is Candice King best known for?

Role as Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries

• King played Caroline Forbes from 2009 to 2017 across eight seasons (IMDb (film database)).
• She also reprised the role in spin‑offs The Originals and Legacies.

Other TV and film credits

• King appeared in The Originals as a recurring guest star.
• She has credits in independent films and TV movies.

Music and songwriting career

• King released singles and co‑wrote songs under the name Candice Accola.
• She performed on the Vampire Diaries soundtrack.

The implication: while she is best known for one iconic role, King has diversified into music and digital content, building a loyal following of 12M on Instagram.

Timeline of key life events

• May 13, 1987 – Born Candice Rene Accola in Houston, Texas. (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
• 2009–2017 – Starred as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries. (IMDb (film database))
• 2014 – Married musician Joe King. (People (celebrity news magazine))
• February 2021 – First child, Florence May King, born. (People (celebrity news magazine))
• 2021–2022 – Separation and divorce from Joe King; allegations emerged. (Entertainment Weekly (pop culture magazine))
• September 2022 – Married actor Steven Krueger in Tennessee. (New York Post (tabloid newspaper))
• October 2023 – Second child, Arlo Krueger, born. (E! News (entertainment news))
• May 2025 – Announced third pregnancy with Steven Krueger. (E! News (entertainment news))

The pattern: King’s timeline shows a concentrated period of change — divorce, remarriage, two children, and a third on the way — all within four years.

Quotes from the people involved

“We’re over the moon and so excited to add to our beautiful family.”

— Candice King, pregnancy announcement via Instagram, May 2025 (E! News)

“She’s an incredible mom and we want to make sure the kids feel ready for the wedding.”

— Steven Krueger, wedding planning update, late May 2025 (New York Post)

“Happy birthday to one of my favorite people. Love you, Cands.”

— Nina Dobrev, Instagram birthday tribute, 2024 (Nina Dobrev Instagram)

“The allegations are not true and I intend to defend myself.”

— Joe King, statement denying abuse allegations, via legal representation (People)

For the millions of Vampire Diaries fans who grew up with Candice King, the takeaway is clear: she has transitioned from small‑screen star to a grounded mother of three, navigating public scrutiny while protecting her private life. The trade‑off of sharing family milestones on social media is that every joy also becomes a headline — but King seems to have found the balance that works for her.

Frequently asked questions