Darius Rucker's 3 Kids: All About Carolyn, Daniella and Jack

Darius Rucker is the proud father of three children: daughters Carolyn and Danielle and son Jack.

The “Wagon Wheel” singer became a father for the first time in 1995, when he and his ex Elizabeth Ann Phillips had a daughter, Carolyn (29). The couple soon separated and Darius married Beth Leonard in 2000. Together they welcomed Daniella (23) in 2001, and Jack, 20, in 2004.

Although Leonard and Darius divorced in July 2020, they were determined to continue co-parenting. Three years later, they appeared to be successful in their goal, and Darius told PEOPLE in October 2023 that they were still a family unit.

“Those things hurt and you feel like a failure,” Darius said of the divorce. “But we’re still a family — a piece of paper isn’t going to change that. We’re still a family and it’s all because Beth is awesome. She knows it’s best for the kids and she’s a great human being.”

Darius added that since his father was absent growing up — despite living down the street from him and his siblings — it was even more important to him to be a present father to his children.

Beth Leonard, Daniella Rose Rucker, musician Darius Rucker and Jack Rucker at the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards on April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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“It was difficult growing up without a father. I hated it,” he told PEOPLE. “I’ve had a lot of great father figures in my life, but the one I had was crap, and I don’t want my kids to ever not know where their dad is or how to get in touch with him, because I never knew how to get in touch with him.” contact with their own.”

He added: “With a job like mine, you travel a lot, but one thing is, [my children] I always know where I am. I think it’s directly from the fact that I never knew where [my father] was.”

From their budding music careers to their friendships with other famous kids, here’s everything you need to know about Darius Rucker’s three children.

Carolyn Rucker, 29

Carolyn Rucker and Darius Rucker at the Star Ceremony where Darius Rucker is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on December 4, 2023 in Hollywood.

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Darius’ older daughter, Carolyn, was born on April 21, 1995, and was named after the country singer’s mother, who had the same name.

In May 2018, Carolyn graduated from Lynn University, and Darius celebrated the happy occasion on Instagram. “My oldest, @cary4life, graduated college yesterday. So proud of her!! I love my babies,” he wrote under a photo of all three of his children.

It seems that Carolyn may have taken after her musician father. While in college, she uploaded videos of herself singing covers of songs like Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” and Alessio Caro’s “Scars to Your Beautiful” on her YouTube channel.

Years later, the former Hootie & the Blowfish host was joined by Carolyn and her two younger siblings when he accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in December 2023. During his speech, he called out his children, sharing his love and pride in how are adults.

Cary, Dani and Jack are my heart, they are my soul, said the musician. – They are everything to me and everything I do is for them.

Darius Rucker and his children, Carolyn, Daniella and Jack.

Darius Rucker Facebook

“Being your father has just been an amazing thing,” Darius continued. “As cool as all this is, it’s not as cool as being your dad, and I really mean it. I love you so much.”

Carolyn expressed support for her father, writing to X“I’m so proud that my dad was able to experience this, it was amazing, he deserves it, I’m so proud, I love you dad.”

Daniella Rucker, 23

Daniella Rucker and Darius Rucker during Rucker’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on December 4, 2023.

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Darius’ second daughter was born on May 16, 2001, just a few months after he and Beth married. Daniella was named after retired Miami Dolphin player Dan Marino — whom Daniella met in 2016.

Daniella made her dad proud when she graduated from New York University in May 2023. While she was at school, Darius told PEOPLE that he made it a priority to communicate with her and all of his children as much as possible, especially since they were all in different places.

“When phones and FaceTime came into play, it became a lot easier,” he said in June 2023.[I] just try to call every day.”

“The way we’re touring is great,” he continued. “We only go on tour on weekends, so three days a week and the other four days [I’m] almost at home, so it’s a lot easier.”

When Daniella was home from school during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and Darius got to spend a little more time together and the two ended up recording “I Don’t Love You Like That” together.

“Making the most of these stay-at-home orders and family time, I decided to play with my garage band and put my producer hat on,” Darius wrote on X. “With my daughter Dani coming home from college, she joined as lead vocalist.”

Many of Darius’ followers noted how good Daniella sounded, noting that she could follow in her father’s footsteps in the future.

Jack Rucker, 20

Jack Rucker and Darius Rucker attend the Barnstable Brown Gala on May 6, 2022 in Louisville, Kentucky.

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Jack, Darius’ youngest child and only son, was born on October 27, 2004. He and Darius are close, often attending events together from football games to red carpets. The two also enjoy playing golf together, and Darius told PEOPLE in June 2023 that he plans to spend Father’s Day with his son on the course.

“I have a show on Saturday and then I’m going to fly home straight after to hang out with my son,” he said. “My daughters live in Nashville and New York so I won’t be able to see them, but my son and I are going to play golf.”

Like his older sister, Jack is now a student at NYU after graduating high school in May 2023, leaving his father a blank slate. Darius joked to PEOPLE that he hopes to not have “too much fun” now that the kids are out of the house and he has more free time.

“I’m afraid. I hope I don’t have too much fun,” he joked. “But you’re just so proud of your kids and reaching those milestones. I’d rather spend my time playing a lot of golf and traveling around and probably traveling to the town they’re in so I can see them.”

Before Jack started school, he had already befriended another famous NYU kid: Deacon Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s son.

In February 2023, he announced that he and Phillippe had made a song together called “8 / 5 / 18.” “This song is one of my favorite songs I’ve worked on and the first song @deaconphillippe and I have ever done together. Now on all platforms,” Jack wrote on Instagram.

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Source: HIS Education