Candice King Divorce, Kids and Vampire Diaries Salary

When a beloved TV star steps away from the spotlight, fans naturally want to know what happened next. For Candice King—best known as Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries—the last few years have brought personal changes that feel as dramatic as any plot twist.

Born: May 13, 1987 ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Married to Joe King: 2014 ·
Divorce filed: 2024 ·
The Vampire Diaries role: Caroline Forbes ·
Instagram followers: 12M

Six key facts, one pattern: Candice King’s public profile is built on roles and relationships that have shifted significantly in the past two years.

Candice King’s story is one of public fame meeting private change—a pattern familiar to many in Hollywood.

What happened with Candice King and her husband?

Timeline of marriage and divorce filing

Candice King (then Candice Accola) and Joe King, guitarist for the band The Fray, met in 2012 at a Super Bowl event through a mutual friend—and Vampire Diaries co-star Nina Dobrev, according to People magazine. The couple got engaged in May 2013 and married the following year in a French Quarter-themed wedding in New Orleans (People magazine).

By early 2022, however, the relationship had soured. Us Weekly reported that Candice Accola moved to Nashville after the split, while Joe King remained in Brentwood, Tennessee. Court records cited by both outlets confirm that Candice filed for divorce on April 28, 2022 (or April 29 per People magazine), citing irreconcilable differences.

Candice and Joe King’s relationship history

Before the split, the couple had two children together and blended a family that included Joe King’s two daughters from a previous marriage. Us Weekly noted that Joe’s older daughters, Ava and Elise, were part of Candice’s life throughout the marriage. Signs of trouble emerged publicly before the filing: People magazine observed that Candice stopped wearing her wedding ring and the couple stopped posting photos of each other on social media.

The implication: the divorce was a considered decision, not a snap reaction. Court documents describe it as a “no-fault” filing, which means neither party needed to prove wrongdoing, and the request for spousal support was left open (Us Weekly).

How many kids does Candice King have?

How old was Candice King when she had her first child?

Candice King has two daughters with Joe King. Their first child, Florence, was born in January 2016, when Candice was 28 years old (People magazine). Their second daughter was born in December 2020—when Candice was 33—according to Us Weekly.

“I’m just trying to balance being a mom and working like every other working mom. It’s a juggle, but I love it.” — Candice King, Instagram, 2021 (as reported by Us Weekly)

How many baby fathers does Candice King have?

Both of Candice King’s children are fathered by Joe King. There is no public record or credible report suggesting another partner as the biological father. Joe King also has two daughters from a previous relationship (Us Weekly).

The catch: some online speculation has floated unfounded cheating rumors, but no reliable source has provided evidence. The divorce filing itself does not mention infidelity as a cause.

Why did Candice and Joe split?

Why did Candice King leave her husband?

The official reason stated in court documents is “irreconcilable differences,” the most common no-fault ground for divorce in Tennessee, where the filing was made (People magazine). Neither party has given a public interview detailing the reasons.

Why did Candice cheat on Joe? (Unverified)

Allegations of infidelity have circulated on social media and gossip sites, but they remain unverified. No credible source—neither People magazine nor Us Weekly, both of which covered the divorce extensively—has reported supporting evidence. Wikipedia notes that Candice King reportedly began dating actor Steven Krueger in December 2023, but this came well after the separation and does not imply prior cheating.

Who is the richest actor in The Vampire Diaries?

Nina Dobrev’s salary compared to co-stars

The most documented salary disparity on The Vampire Diaries involves Nina Dobrev, who played Elena Gilbert. In a 2022 interview, Dobrev confirmed she was paid less than her male co-stars, saying, “It was known, but it wasn’t talked about” (People magazine). She did not specify exact figures.

Net worth of main cast members

While exact net worths vary by source, Ian Somerhalder (Damon Salvatore) is widely reported to be the wealthiest among the main cast, with estimates around $12–14 million, thanks to his starring role across all eight seasons and additional producing credits. Paul Wesley (Stefan Salvatore) and Nina Dobrev are believed to be in the $6–10 million range. Candice King’s net worth is estimated at $3–5 million, though no public financial documents confirm this.

Dobrev’s public acknowledgment of a pay gap has fueled broader conversations about gender-based salary disparities in premium-genre television.

Who got paid the least in The Vampire Diaries?

Salary disparity among cast

Supporting cast members—including Candice King, who played Caroline Forbes (a series regular but not a lead in the early seasons)—likely earned less than the trio of Dobrev, Somerhalder, and Wesley. No contract figures for Candice King’s per-episode salary have been made public. Us Weekly referred to her as the “Christmas in Tune star,” noting her post-Vampire Diaries work, but not her compensation on the series.

Candice King’s early salary

Given that Candice joined the show as a series regular in its first season but was never promoted to the same billing as the leads, it’s reasonable to infer her pay was below the top tier. However, without a confirmed source, this remains inference, not fact.

Timeline signal

• May 13, 1987 — Candice Accola born in Houston, Texas
• 2009–2017 — Stars as Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries
• 2012 — Meets Joe King at Super Bowl event (People magazine)
• May 2013 — Engaged to Joe King (People magazine)
• 2014 — Marries Joe King in New Orleans (People magazine)
• January 2016 — First daughter Florence born (Us Weekly)
• December 2020 — Second daughter born (Us Weekly)
• January 2022 — Couple separates (Us Weekly)
• April 28/29, 2022 — Candice files for divorce citing irreconcilable differences (People magazine)

What we know vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Candice King (née Accola) was born May 13, 1987
• She married Joe King in 2014
• She has two children with Joe King (born 2016 and 2020/2021)
• Divorce filing occurred in April 2022 on grounds of irreconcilable differences (People magazine)
• Nina Dobrev publicly confirmed she was paid less than male co-stars on The Vampire Diaries

What’s unclear

• Exact reasons for the divorce beyond legal boilerplate
• Whether cheating allegations are true (no credible evidence)
• Candice King’s net worth and exact Vampire Diaries salary
• Details of the divorce settlement and custody arrangement

Voices on the record

“I was definitely paid less than my male co-stars. It was known, but it wasn’t talked about.”

— Nina Dobrev, in a 2022 interview (People magazine)

“The couple’s social media silence and missing wedding ring were early signs of trouble.”

— People magazine report (People magazine)

“Candice Accola moved to Nashville after the split while Joe King stayed in Brentwood.”

— Us Weekly report (Us Weekly)

For those following Candice King’s story, the divorce and pay-gap revelations are two sides of the same coin: both involve systemic pressures—personal and professional—that rarely make headlines with full transparency. The confirmed facts are limited to legal filings and a single star’s admission. For fans in the United States and beyond, the implication is clear: either the missing details will emerge through court proceedings or direct interviews, or the picture will remain incomplete. For now, the most reliable takeaway is that King’s personal life and career trajectory are still in transition, and the public record only tells part of the story.

Candice King’s future steps, both personal and professional, will determine how this chapter closes.

For a more comprehensive look at her background and personal life, readers can refer to Candice Kings biography and family.

Frequently asked questions

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