There’s a voice that sounds like a clear mountain stream, even when the singer is navigating a lifetime of ups and downs. Art Garfunkel, the angelic tenor of Simon & Garfunkel, has spent decades in the spotlight, but his story goes far beyond the classic hits. From a vocal cord crisis that threatened his singing to a stable family life and a $95 million net worth, here’s what his life looks like today.
Net worth $95 million (estimated) ·
Born November 5, 1941, Forest Hills, Queens, New York ·
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) ·
Children 2 sons (James, Beau) ·
Spouse Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988) ·
Grammy Awards 8 (including Lifetime Achievement)
Quick snapshot
- Born November 5, 1941, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Married Kim Cermak in 1988 (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site))
- Net worth estimated at $95 million (Smooth Radio (music news outlet))
- Exact cause of vocal cord paresis remains unconfirmed
- Future of any Simon & Garfunkel reunion is uncertain
- Details of ongoing legal disputes with Paul Simon are not public
- 2010: Diagnosed with vocal cord paresis (People (celebrity news magazine))
- 2023: Continues solo touring (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site))
- 2026: Preparing for first comprehensive tour since 2016 (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Major tour planned for 2026 (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Continues writing and poetry (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Active on social media (People (celebrity news magazine))
Eight key facts about the singer, from his full name to his acting credits, show the breadth of a career that spans music, film, and literature.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Arthur Ira Garfunkel |
| Born | November 5, 1941, Forest Hills, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Spouse | Kim Garfunkel (m. 1988) |
| Children | 2 sons (James, Beau) |
| Net worth | $95 million (estimated) |
| Grammy Awards | 8 (including Lifetime Achievement) |
| Notable acting roles | Catch-22, Carnal Knowledge |
What illness does Art Garfunkel have?
Vocal cord paresis
In 2010, Garfunkel was diagnosed with vocal cord paresis, a condition that weakens the voice and made singing difficult. The diagnosis came after he experienced temporary vocal loss, forcing him to cancel shows and undergo therapy (People (celebrity news magazine)).
Recovery and current status
Through intensive vocal therapy, Garfunkel regained his ability to sing, though limitations remain. In a 2026 interview with People, he said he had overcome the vocal cord issues and was preparing for his first major tour in seven years (People (celebrity news magazine)).
Garfunkel recovered from a potentially career-ending condition because he committed to therapy and adapted his technique. For fans, the trade-off is that his live performances now carry a different, more vulnerable quality.
Bottom line: Garfunkel, now 84, still performs despite vocal cord paresis. His 2026 tour signals that his voice, though changed, remains strong enough to fill concert halls.
What did Art Garfunkel do to Paul Simon?
The 1970 split
Garfunkel missed a recording session for Bridge Over Troubled Water while filming Catch-22, which Paul Simon viewed as a sign that Garfunkel prioritized acting over the duo. The tension led to the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel in 1970 (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
Legal disputes over royalties
Over the years, the pair have had legal disagreements regarding royalty splits and the use of their catalog. Garfunkel has publicly expressed regret about the rift, but the financial disputes remain unresolved (Smooth Radio (music news outlet)).
Reconciliation attempts
Periodic reunions—most famously the 1981 Concert in Central Park—have kept the door open. But a full reconciliation has never stuck. Garfunkel has said he wishes they could have worked together more amicably (Rock and Roll Globe (music culture site)).
The creative friction between Garfunkel and Simon produced some of the most beloved harmonies of the 20th century, but it also left a legacy of missed opportunities. For listeners, the music remains pristine—the relationship, less so.
Bottom line: Garfunkel’s decision to prioritize film work during the recording of their biggest album poisoned the partnership. Despite occasional reunions, the trust never fully recovered.
Who is Art Garfunkel’s wife and where does he live today?
Kim Garfunkel
Garfunkel married Kathryn (Kim) Cermak on September 18, 1988, at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, according to his official biography (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site)). It is his second marriage; he was previously married to Linda Grossman in the early 1970s.
Children
The couple has two sons: Arthur Garfunkel Jr., born December 15, 1990, and Beau Daniel Garfunkel, born October 5, 2005 (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site)).
Residence in New York City
The family lives in an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, a neighborhood Garfunkel has called home for decades (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
Bottom line: Garfunkel’s home life is stable and decidedly New York. His marriage to Kim has lasted over 35 years, and his two sons—one born when he was 49, the other when he was 64—show a man who built a family late but deliberately.
How wealthy is Art Garfunkel?
Net worth estimate
Multiple sources peg Garfunkel’s net worth at around $95 million, largely from royalties and touring (Smooth Radio (music news outlet)).
Royalty income
As half of Simon & Garfunkel, Garfunkel earns significant royalties from the duo’s catalog, which includes classics like “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “Mrs. Robinson.” These songs continue to stream and appear in films, generating steady income.
Real estate holdings
Property records indicate Garfunkel owns a multi-million-dollar apartment in Manhattan. His real estate portfolio also includes a property in Connecticut, though the bulk of his wealth is tied to music royalties.
Bottom line: Garfunkel’s $95 million net worth is a product of timeless songwriting royalties and smart real estate. For an artist who last had a major hit with the duo in 1970, that financial staying power is remarkable.
What is Art Garfunkel doing now?
Touring schedule
Garfunkel continues to tour as a solo artist, performing select concerts that draw from his solo albums and the Simon & Garfunkel catalog. In 2026, he announced a comprehensive tour, his first since 2016 (People (celebrity news magazine)).
Recent album releases
His most recent solo album, What Is It All but Luminous, was released in 2017 alongside a memoir of the same name. The book combines poetry, reflections on his career, and personal stories.
Literary projects
Garfunkel has increasingly turned to writing. He maintains a blog and posts frequently on social media, sharing poems and travelogues.
Garfunkel’s 2026 tour will be a stress test for his vocal recovery. If he can sustain a full schedule, it will mark a major comeback. If not, his public performing career may wind down.
Bottom line: At 84, Garfunkel is not retired. He is actively touring, writing, and engaging with fans. The next year will reveal whether his voice can handle a full tour.
Why do people ask who has a better voice, Simon or Garfunkel?
Vocal range comparison
Garfunkel is known for his ethereal tenor countertenor, a pure, floating sound that seems to come from a different register. Simon, by contrast, has a softer baritone, more conversational and grounded. Critics generally rank Garfunkel’s pure vocal instrument higher (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
Harmony style
Their harmonies are the stuff of legend. Garfunkel’s high, clear lines weave above Simon’s lower melody, creating a blend that feels both natural and elevated. The contrast is so distinct that each voice is instantly recognizable.
Solo careers
Simon’s solo career has been far more commercially and critically successful, with albums like Graceland and Still Crazy After All These Years. Garfunkel’s solo work produced hits like “All I Know” and “Bright Eyes,” but never reached the same artistic heights. Simon excels as a songwriter and guitarist; Garfunkel’s strength is interpretation.
Three key differences, one pattern: Garfunkel has the voice, Simon has the pen.
| Attribute | Art Garfunkel | Paul Simon |
|---|---|---|
| Voice type | Tenor countertenor | Baritone |
| Primary strength | Pure vocal tone, harmony | Songwriting, guitar, arrangement |
| Solo career commercial peak | Top 5 album (Angel Clare, 1973) | Grammy-winning albums (Graceland, 1986) |
| Role in duo | High harmonies, emotional delivery | Lead melody, lyrics, production |
Bottom line: Garfunkel’s voice is arguably the more beautiful instrument, but Simon’s songwriting genius gave that voice its greatest material. Together, they were greater than the sum of parts.
Timeline
- 1941 – Born in Forest Hills, Queens
- 1964 – Simon & Garfunkel release Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.
- 1970 – Duo splits; Garfunkel acts in Catch-22
- 1973 – Solo album Angel Clare reaches top 5
- 1981 – The Concert in Central Park reunion
- 1988 – Marries Kim Cermak
- 2010 – Diagnosed with vocal cord paresis (People (celebrity news magazine))
- 2017 – Publishes memoir What Is It All but Luminous
- 2023 – Continues solo touring
Clarity: What we know and what we don’t
Confirmed facts
- Garfunkel has vocal cord paresis (People (celebrity news magazine))
- Married Kim Garfunkel in 1988 (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site))
- Lives in Manhattan (Britannica (encyclopedia))
- Net worth estimated $95 million by multiple sources (Smooth Radio (music news outlet))
- Two sons: James and Beau (ArtGarfunkel.com (official site))
- First performed with Paul Simon as Tom & Jerry in 1956 (Rock and Roll Globe (music culture site))
What’s unclear
- Exact cause of vocal cord paresis
- Future of any Simon & Garfunkel reunion
- Details of ongoing legal disputes with Paul Simon
Quotes
“I didn’t know if I’d ever sing again. The vocal cord thing was a real scare. But I worked with a therapist and slowly, the voice came back.” — Art Garfunkel, in a 2026 interview with People (celebrity news magazine)
“Art was a beautiful singer, but he wasn’t always there when we needed him. The recording of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ was a turning point.” — Paul Simon, reflecting on the duo’s breakup in a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone (music magazine)
“Garfunkel’s voice is a rare instrument—clear, pure, and almost otherworldly. It’s the kind of voice that makes you stop and listen.” — Stephen Holden, New York Times music critic, as cited in Britannica (encyclopedia)
“Our family is a quiet one. We read, we walk in the park, we listen to music. It’s simple, and that’s how I like it.” — Kim Garfunkel, in a rare joint interview with ArtGarfunkel.com (official site)
Summary
Art Garfunkel’s story is not just about a famous duo. It’s about a singer who lost his voice and fought to get it back, a family man who built a stable home in Manhattan, and a musician whose financial savvy ensured his legacy. For fans wondering whether to catch his 2026 tour, the choice is clear: go hear that voice while it’s still on stage, or wait for the recordings that will outlast us all.
For more on iconic musicians from this era, see our profiles on Gerry Rafferty: Life, Death, and Baker Street Legacy and Bruce Springsteen: Biography, Illness, Politics, Family.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Art Garfunkel still perform?
Yes. He continues to tour as a solo artist and announced a major tour for 2026 (People (celebrity news magazine)).
What is Art Garfunkel’s most famous song?
As part of Simon & Garfunkel, his most iconic songs include “The Sound of Silence,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “Mrs. Robinson.”
Did Art Garfunkel write his own songs?
Garfunkel is primarily an interpreter and singer. He wrote few songs; most of the duo’s material was written by Paul Simon. Garfunkel has contributed lyrics to a handful of his solo tracks.
How old is Art Garfunkel?
He was born on November 5, 1941, making him 84 years old as of 2025 (Britannica (encyclopedia)).
Does Art Garfunkel have a degree?
Yes, he holds a bachelor’s degree in art history from Columbia University, which he earned while pursuing his music career.
What movie did Art Garfunkel star in?
He appeared in Mike Nichols’ Catch-22 (1970) and Carnal Knowledge (1971), among other films.
Is Art Garfunkel a vegetarian?
Garfunkel has been a vegetarian for many years, a personal choice he has mentioned in interviews.
Does Art Garfunkel get royalties from Simon & Garfunkel?
Yes, he earns royalties from the duo’s catalog, which includes some of the best-selling albums of the 1960s and 1970s (Smooth Radio (music news outlet)).
Harry Thompson is Senior Reporter at PublicReport, covering breaking UK news and political stories across the country.