The Legendary Neil Diamond Is Calling It Quits… For a Reason

Was It Caroline Kennedy?

In 2007, Diamond revealed the inspiration for Sweet Caroline. It was John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline, who was 11 years old when the song was released. He even sang the song to her during her 50th birthday celebration in 2007. In regards to the song revelation decades after he wrote it, he said he was happy to get it off his chest and to have expressed it to Caroline Kennedy herself.

Neil Diamond performing in 1972 / Caroline Kennedy smiling at an event

Photo by Fotos International, Shutterstock / Everett Collection, Shutterstock

“I thought she might be embarrassed, but she seemed to be struck by it and really, really happy.” Diamond told the Associated Press: “It was a No. 1 record and probably is the biggest, most important song of my career, and I have to thank her for the inspiration.”