Taylor Swift is one of the most iconic faces of country music, pop music, and its fusion, seamlessly blending two opposing genres and their two opposing fanbases. She’s responsible for providing us with multiple anthems to the universally relatable feelings of heartbreak, lust, envy, grief, etc.
Since her rise in the early 2000s, it’s safe to say she’s eclipsed most of the country stars that came before her and influenced every chord she strums with her guitar. She’s also joined by just one sibling. Though he hasn’t shown the same musical inclinations, Austin Swift has carved his career in the entertainment industry and kept a close relationship with his sister.
Join us while we learn more about the princess of country and her only sibling as we rank the Swift siblings from oldest to youngest!
2. Taylor Swift (December 13, 1989 – Present)
Age (as of October 2022): 32 years, 9 months, 23 days
Born: West Reading, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
Known For: Best Selling Music Artist
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Taylor Swift is the 32-year-old daughter of Andrea Gardner and Scott Swift, the latter of whom was a successful financial adviser and marketing executive for many stars in the Hollywood social sphere. Her mother was involved in finance like her father but eventually became a homemaker after having children.
Though Taylor had an interest in becoming a financial adviser like her father, he recognized her creative talent before she did and had other plans for the future superstar. As a result, the family of four moved to Nashville for the sole purpose of advancing her career.
Even at nine years old, Swift was showing interest in the arts and performed for the Berks Youth Theatre Academy while also traveling to New York for vocal and acting lessons. At 12, a man named Ronnie Cremer, a computer repairman by day and a musician by night, was the first to show Taylor her way around a guitar.
Taylor and her mom traveled to Nashville to visit with record labels. Shooting for the stars, they submitted demo tapes to Dolly Parton and other legendary country artists with the hopes that they’d see the enormous potential in the pre-teen singer.
Unsurprisingly, she was rejected, not due to talent, but because of how saturated the Nashville music scene was with girls like her looking to do the same thing.
To help her stand out among all the other young hopefuls, Taylor began writing songs.
By 14-years-old, Sony signed her to a songwriting deal, making her the youngest artist in the Sony/ATV publishing house. But in a major leap of faith and bravery, she left that same year in 2004 for fear that her career was being held back.
Cut to 2005, and Taylor signed with Big Machine Records, releasing her debut album, Taylor Swift, in 2006. The album was a resounding success and certified seven times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Her sound resonated beyond Nashville and America, peaking at #14 on the Canadian Albums Chart and certified Platinum by Music Canada.
Never one to repeat herself, Swift started to exercise her pop influence in the 2008 album Fearless and Speak Now in 2010.
Now with over 200 million records sold over the globe, she’s one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
Dubbed a Woman and Artist of the Decade, she’s tried living up to the title through her work in philanthropy, artist rights, and her public support against the social injustices that plague America, like female bodily autonomy and control over reproductive rights.
Did You Know?
Taylor Swift is the proud recipient of 11 Grammy Awards, an Emmy, 34 American Music Awards (the most of any artist), 25 Billboard Music Awards, and 58 Guinness World Records.
1. Austin Swift (March 11, 1992 – Present)
Age (as of August 3, 2022): 30
Born: West Reading, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Actor, Producer
Known For: Live by Night
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Austin Swift is the lone and youngest of the Swift siblings at 30-years-old!
Besides being known as Taylor’s brother, Austin has dabbled in acting. As an actor, he’s appeared in Ben Affleck’s mob drama epic, Live by Night, and in I.T., which starred Pierce Brosnan.
Austin also worked as a producer in his sister’s 2020 documentary titled Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions, where she performs every song off her “Folklore” album in an intimate setting while sharing the backstory behind each of the 17 songs.
Did You Know?
Austin Swift graduated from the University of Norte Dame in 2015 with a degree in film.
