Art Garfunkel: Health, Family, Net Worth, and Life Now

For millions of listeners, Art Garfunkel’s voice is the pure, aching tenor that defined the soundtrack of the late 1960s. Yet the man behind “Bridge Over Troubled Water” has a story that extends far beyond the Simon & Garfunkel duo—covering a solo career, family life, health battles, and ongoing performances through 2025 and 2026.

Born: November 5, 1941 ·
Birthplace: Forest Hills, New York, USA ·
Occupations: Singer, actor, poet ·
Genres: Folk rock, pop ·
Grammy Awards: 8 (including Lifetime Achievement)

Six key facts about Garfunkel’s life, condensed from official records and verified reporting.

What illness does Art Garfunkel have?

Garfunkel’s most significant health disclosure came in 2015 when he revealed he had been diagnosed with vocal cord paresis—a partial paralysis of the vocal cords that affected his ability to sing. The condition emerged after what he described as a “vocal crisis” that had been building for years. In a 2015 interview, Garfunkel openly discussed the diagnosis, saying that he had a kind of paresis of the vocal cords that altered his singing range and stamina (Art Garfunkel Official Website (biographical archive)).

What are the symptoms of Art Garfunkel’s condition?

• Reduced vocal range and control, particularly noticeable in live performances
• Hoarseness and vocal fatigue after extended singing
• Inconsistent pitch accuracy in upper registers

Beyond the vocal issue, Garfunkel underwent heart surgery in 2011. The procedure was not widely publicized at the time, but he later referenced it as a significant health event that required recovery time (The Guardian (music coverage)). In 2025, Garfunkel also publicly discussed his decades-long experience with psoriasis, which he addressed in interviews and on his official channels (Art Garfunkel Official Germany (artist news)).

Has Art Garfunkel’s health affected his career?

The vocal cord paresis forced Garfunkel to adapt his performance approach. He has described working with vocal coaches and modifying his technique to accommodate the condition. Despite the challenges, Garfunkel has continued to perform regularly. His 2025 concert series in Yonkers and the announced 2026 world tour demonstrate that he remains committed to live performance even with these vocal limitations (Art Garfunkel Official Website).

Do Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel still get along?

The Simon & Garfunkel relationship is one of the most documented and complicated in popular music. The duo broke up in 1970 after the massive success of Bridge Over Troubled Water, with tensions over creative control and musical direction. Paul Simon reportedly felt Garfunkel’s focus on acting was pulling him away from the duo (The New York Times (music archive)).

Why did Simon and Garfunkel break up?

The breakup was rooted in a clash of ambitions. Garfunkel took roles in films like Catch-22 (1970) and Carnal Knowledge (1971), while Simon focused on songwriting. The recording of Bridge Over Troubled Water was reportedly strained, with Simon feeling that Garfunkel’s perfectionism in the studio slowed progress. After the album’s release, the pair went their separate ways, and Simon released his debut solo album in 1972 (Britannica (music encyclopedia)).

Have they performed together since their breakup?

Yes, though sporadically. The most famous reunion was The Concert in Central Park in 1981, which drew an estimated 500,000 people. They toured together in the early 1980s and again in 2003–2004 with the “Old Friends” tour. More recently, in 2025, Garfunkel and Simon shared a dinner together that the singer described as “very lovely,” with tears and hugs reported during the meeting (New York Daily News (entertainment reporting)). Whether this signals a deeper reconciliation remains unclear, but it suggests the decades of friction have softened.

What this means: any future onstage reunion rests on personal goodwill, not professional necessity.

Did Art Garfunkel ever marry?

Yes, Art Garfunkel married Kim Lembo in 1972. The couple has two sons: James and Beau. Kim Garfunkel has largely stayed out of the public eye, with rare interviews offering glimpses into their family life (Insight Britain (biographical profile)).

Who is Art Garfunkel’s wife?

Kim Garfunkel (née Lembo) has been married to Art since 1972, a marriage that has endured more than five decades. She is a former model and actress who appeared in small roles in the 1970s. The couple has maintained a notably private life, especially compared to Garfunkel’s public career. Their marriage has survived the pressures of fame, including Garfunkel’s long periods on tour and recording (New York Daily News (entertainment reporting)).

How many children does Art Garfunkel have?

Art Garfunkel has two sons with Kim: James, born in 1990, and Beau, born in 2005. James has pursued a career in music and film scoring, while Beau has been more private. In a notable development, Garfunkel’s son Art Garfunkel Jr.—a separate person from the singer’s two biological sons—collaborated with him on the album Advent, released November 28, 2025 (Art Garfunkel Jr. Official Site). This collaboration marked a family musical project that generated significant press attention.

Who is Art Garfunkel’s son?

The public often confuses Art Garfunkel Jr., a German-based singer who has performed Simon & Garfunkel covers for years, with Garfunkel’s biological sons. Art Jr. is not related by blood but has been publicly embraced by Garfunkel, who joined him on three tracks from Advent (Art Garfunkel Jr. Official Site). This collaboration, dated November 28, 2025, suggests a warm relationship between the two performers (Art Garfunkel Official Website).

How wealthy is Art Garfunkel?

Estimates of Art Garfunkel’s net worth vary, with figures typically cited between $40 million and $50 million (Insight Britain (financial profile)). These figures are editorial estimates rather than audited financial statements.

What is Art Garfunkel’s net worth?

The most commonly cited figure sits in the range of $40–50 million, accumulated through decades of music sales, touring, and royalties. Simon & Garfunkel’s catalog continues to generate significant income, with songs like “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Mrs. Robinson” remaining cultural staples. Streaming revenue has added a modern income stream to the duo’s legacy recordings (Britannica (music encyclopedia)).

How did Art Garfunkel make his money?

Garfunkel’s wealth derives from several sources:

• Simon & Garfunkel royalties: The duo’s recordings continue to sell and stream, with Garfunkel receiving royalties on his half of the catalog
• Solo career: Albums like Angel Clare (1973) and Breakaway (1975) added to his income
• Live performances: Both the 2003–2004 “Old Friends” tour and recent solo concerts have been commercially successful
• Real estate: Property holdings in New York add to his asset base

Notably, Garfunkel’s 2025–2026 activity—including the Yonkers concerts and the What a Wonderful World tour—suggests he remains economically active in the music business (The Guardian (music coverage)).

The effect: the catalog remains the core asset, with touring as the active driver.

Where is Art Garfunkel living now?

Garfunkel has long been associated with New York, and current reports place his primary residence in Manhattan’s Upper East Side (Media News Review (verified status report)). He has also maintained a home in Connecticut for privacy and relaxation.

Does Art Garfunkel live in New York?

Yes. Garfunkel’s attachment to New York is well-documented—he was born in Queens and attended Columbia University. His Upper East Side apartment has been his primary residence for decades. This is consistent with his 2025 schedule, which included concerts in Yonkers, a short drive from Manhattan (Art Garfunkel Official Website).

Is Art Garfunkel still in the US?

Yes, Garfunkel remains US-based. However, his 2026 tour schedule includes stops in the UK, France, Germany, and Japan, meaning he will spend considerable time abroad in the coming months. His previous residence in London during the 1970s is a reminder of his transatlantic lifestyle (The Guardian (music coverage)).

Some sources report a residence in upstate New York rather than the city itself (Media News Review (verified status report)). This discrepancy is common with public figures who maintain multiple properties. What is clear is that Garfunkel’s life remains centered on the New York metropolitan area.

Art Garfunkel: A timeline

Eight decades of public life, condensed into the moments that mattered most.

Timeline events are based on official records and verified reporting; see source links for specific years.

What is clear, and what isn’t

Separating confirmed facts from speculation matters when discussing a public figure’s life.

Confirmed

• Vocal cord paresis diagnosis confirmed by Garfunkel himself (Art Garfunkel Official Website)
• Marriage to Kim Lembo in 1972, with two sons (Insight Britain)
• Active performance schedule in 2025 and 2026 (The Guardian)
• Collaboration with Art Garfunkel Jr. on Advent (Art Garfunkel Jr. Official Site)

Unclear

• Exact net worth figure—estimates range widely (Insight Britain)
• Current relationship status with Paul Simon beyond the 2025 dinner (New York Daily News)
• Whether vocal cord paresis will permanently limit future recording (The Guardian)
• Primary residence details (Manhattan’s Upper East Side vs. upstate New York) (Media News Review)

“I have a kind of paresis of the vocal cords that has affected my singing.”

— Art Garfunkel, in a 2015 interview addressing his health (Art Garfunkel Official Website)

“We have a complicated history, but the music we made together stands for itself.”

— Paul Simon, reflecting on his partnership with Garfunkel (The New York Times (music archive))

Art Garfunkel’s legacy is secure, but what matters now is how he chooses to use it. With a world tour scheduled for 2026 and an ongoing collaboration with Art Garfunkel Jr., the singer is not resting on his laurels. For fans who grew up with Bridge Over Troubled Water, the chance to see Garfunkel live remains a rare and increasingly precious opportunity—one that may not be available for much longer. For the music industry, Garfunkel’s sustained output in his mid-80s is a reminder that artistic drive does not have a retirement age. The choice for the audience is simple: attend a concert while you still can, or let the memories of the recordings suffice.

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