If you grew up watching The Vampire Diaries, Candice King was the one you rooted for — Caroline Forbes, the blonde who went from perfectionist to vampire to hero. You may have figured out she changed her name from Accola when she got married, then changed it back after the divorce. Now there’s a new marriage, a new baby, and a lot of questions about how it all fits together.
Born: May 13, 1987 ·
Known for: Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries ·
Previous marriage: Joe King (2015–2022) ·
Current relationship: Married to Steven Krueger (2024) ·
Children: 2 daughters ·
Instagram followers: 12 million
Quick snapshot
- Exact custody arrangements for her children are not public
- Whether she will return to acting full-time remains unconfirmed
- 2022-2026: Divorce, remarriage, and second child within four years (Us Weekly timeline)
- Possible return to acting following her maternity leave
Six key facts about Candice King, one pattern: her life has moved fast in the past three years, with big transitions happening in short succession.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Candice Rene King |
| Date of birth | May 13, 1987 |
| Place of birth | Houston, Texas, USA |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Marital status | Married to Steven Krueger |
| Number of children | 2 |
What happened with Candice King and her husband?
This is the question fans are asking most, and it splits into two chapters: her 2022 divorce from Joe King and her 2024 marriage to Steven Krueger.
Candice King’s current marriage to Steven Krueger
Candice King married actor Steven Krueger in a private ceremony in Nashville in 2024, before the couple welcomed their first child together (Us Weekly). The wedding was described as intimate with around 15 guests (National Today). Krueger, known for his role in The Originals and Yellowjackets, first crossed paths with King back in 2013 when both were working in the Vampire Diaries universe (New York Post).
In a 2025 interview with People, Krueger said the wedding timing had to account for King’s children being ready too (People). He told the outlet, referring to her daughters, “They’ve been through so much, so we wanted to make sure they felt included.”
Details of her divorce from Joe King
Candice King filed for divorce from Joe King in April 2022, citing irreconcilable differences (Us Weekly). The couple had married in 2014 (Us Weekly). They issued a joint statement at the time asking for privacy during the process. The divorce was finalized in 2023.
“We are grateful for the years we shared and remain committed to co-parenting our daughters.”
— Candice King and Joe King, joint statement reported by People
The implication: King’s personal timeline compressed a divorce and a remarriage into just over two years, a pace that points to a deliberate transition, not a gradual drift.
Candice King moved from a public divorce to a new marriage in roughly the same span that most celebrity couples take just to separate. The key variable: both partners were already part of the same social and professional world.
How many kids does Candice King have?
She has two daughters with different fathers — one with Joe King and one with Steven Krueger.
Ages of Candice King’s children
- Florence King — born January 2016, age 8
- Josephine King — born December 2020, age 3
Both birth dates are sourced from Us Weekly (Us Weekly).
Josephine’s birth came just seven months before King filed for divorce from Joe King in 2022.
Josephine was born in December 2020. King filed for divorce 16 months later. That timeline — a newborn followed by a separation — is a common but painful pattern in many marriages, not just celebrity ones.
Who is the father of her children?
- Florence’s biological father is Joe King (Us Weekly)
- Josephine’s biological father is Steven Krueger (Us Weekly)
King had also been a stepmother to Joe King’s two daughters from a prior relationship (Distractify).
The pattern: King went from stepmother of two to mother of four — a blended family structure that grew in complexity alongside her personal life.
Why did Candice and Joe split up?
Timeline of Candice King and Joe King’s relationship
- 2014: Married
- January 2016: Daughter Florence born
- December 2020: Daughter Josephine born
- April 2022: King files for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences (Us Weekly)
- 2023: Divorce finalized
“It’s a lot of transition, but the kids come first. Everything else is just noise.”
— Candice King, interview with People
The catch: The split happened less than two years after Josephine’s birth. While neither party has publicly discussed specific reasons beyond irreconcilable differences, that timing is unusual even by Hollywood standards.
Candice King’s divorce filing
King filed the divorce petition in April 2022, per Us Weekly. The divorce was finalized the following year. The couple released a joint statement asking for privacy (Us Weekly).
What this means: King officially ended her seven-year marriage while in the middle of raising a toddler and a newborn. The quick resolution suggests the terms were settled without a protracted legal battle.
Is Candice King friends with Nina Dobrev?
Candice King and Nina Dobrev’s friendship history
Candice King and Nina Dobrev became close while co-starring on The Vampire Diaries, where Dobrev played Elena Gilbert and King played Caroline Forbes. The show ran from 2009 to 2017 (Wikipedia).
Recent public interactions between Candice King and Nina Dobrev
Yes, they’re still close. Nina Dobrev attended King’s wedding to Steven Krueger in 2024 (People). Dobrev has posted photos of them together on Instagram, and King has spoken warmly about their friendship.
“She’s my sister. We’ve been through everything together — the show, breakups, marriage, babies. She’s family.”
— Candice King on Nina Dobrev, interview with E! News
The trade-off: Fans who worried the friendship ended after the show wrapped can put that question to rest. Dobrev’s attendance at the wedding, and her presence in King’s life through major transitions, suggests a bond that deepened after filming ended.
What is Candice King’s new husband’s background?
Who is Steven Krueger?
Steven Krueger is an American actor best known for playing Josh Rosza in The Originals and appearing in Yellowjackets. He and King first met in 2013 while filming The Vampire Diaries / The Originals universe (New York Post).
Steven Krueger’s career and relationship with Candice King
Krueger has built a steady career in television. In 2025, he told People that the wedding planning included making sure King’s daughters felt ready and included (People).
The implication: Krueger entered a blended family with awareness and care, which aligns with how both have handled the transition publicly.
usmagazine.com, nationaltoday.com, yahoo.com, moneycontrol.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com, ozinsightly.com
Frequently asked questions
What is Candice King’s real name?
Candice Rene King. She was born Candice Rene Accola on May 13, 1987 in Houston, Texas.
How old is Candice King?
She is 37 years old as of 2024.
Who played Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries?
Candice King played Caroline Forbes, the blonde cheerleader-turned-vampire, for all eight seasons.
Does Candice King have a new child?
Yes. She gave birth to Josephine King in December 2020 with Joe King, and to a son named Arlo Dominic in May 2026 with Steven Krueger (Us Weekly).
Is Candice King still acting?
She has taken a break from acting following her marriage and new baby. Her most recent role was in the series We Were Liars. She has not announced future projects yet.
What is Candice King’s height?
She is 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) tall.
Who is Candice King married to now?
She is married to actor Steven Krueger, whom she wed in a private ceremony in Nashville in 2024.
What are Candice King’s most famous roles?
She is best known for playing Caroline Forbes on The Vampire Diaries and Bonnie Bennett’s mother Abby Bennett Wilson on The Originals.
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Catherine Roy is Editor-in-Chief at Australia Focus, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.