Scott Swift and Andrea Swift got married in 1988 and had two kids.
The couple quietly divorced in 2011 after 23 years of marriage.
Both parents fought cancer while staying supportive of Tay's career.
Swifties, here’s something you might not know: Taylor Swift’s parents, Scott and Andrea Swift, are divorced. But before you start getting all emotional, let’s take a step back and look at the full story.
While Tay has been busy conquering the world with her music and Eras Tour, her parents have been quietly supporting her through thick and thin. Scott and Andrea have always been a huge part of Swift’s journey, from her early karaoke sessions at home to her rise to fame.
Taylor Swift on Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon (Credits: YouTube/Jimmy Fallon)
But like many couples, their relationship had its ups and downs, and in 2011, they quietly went their separate ways after 23 years of marriage. Despite this, they’ve continued to show up for their daughter at every big event.
When Did Scott Swift and Andrea Swift Marry?
Let’s start with the love story. Scott Swift and Andrea Swift’s (née Finlay) relationship began long before Taylor Swift became a global superstar. They tied the knot on February 20, 1988, in Harris County, Texas. Andrea, a marketing manager at an advertising agency, and Scott, a stockbroker who later became a vice president at Merrill Lynch, were a total power couple.
They welcomed Swift into the world on December 13, 1989, and then Austin followed a few years later in 1992. From the start, it was clear that family was super important to them. While the Lover star grew up with an eye on her career, her parents were right there with her every step of the way.
Scott Swift and Andrea Swift Ended Their Marriage in 2011
After 23 years of marriage, the two quietly split in 2011. They didn’t make a big fuss about it. There were no public arguments or messy headlines—just a quiet separation. Swift was on her Speak Now World Tour that year, and not many people knew about her parents’ divorce. It was only later that the news came out.
So, what caused the split? According to The Hollywood Gossip, the couple faced some “difficulties.” An anonymous source told Radar Online:
Andrea being on tour with Taylor full-time has really been hard on her relationship with Scott.
Touring is no joke, and being away from home for months can be hard on any relationship. While they never publicly explained the cause, it was clear that their relationship had changed. However, even though they were no longer married, they both remained incredibly supportive of Swift and her career.
Scott Swift and Andrea Swift’s Cancer Journeys
If you thought things couldn’t get any more emotional, here’s where it gets heavy. Both Scott and Andrea have battled cancer. In 2015, Swift revealed in a 2019 essay for Elle:
I’ve had to learn how to handle serious illness in my family. Both of my parents have had cancer, and my mom is now fighting her battle with it again.
In 2019, Andrea was still fighting the illness, though the star didn’t disclose the type. Swift didn’t hold back in her music. She wrote about her mom’s struggle in the song Soon You’ll Get Better from her album Lover.
Taylor Swift’s Lover album (Credits: YouTube/Taylor Swift)
The song is heartbreaking, with lyrics like, “Who am I supposed to talk to? What am I supposed to do if there’s no you?” It was clear how deeply this affected Swift. But cancer didn’t just affect Andrea—Scott has also faced his own battle with the disease. Swift talked about how tough it’s been for her family, especially with her mom’s ongoing health struggles.
The emotional weight of it all even made Swift say she couldn’t listen to Soon You’ll Get Better without feeling overwhelmed (she told CBS News in 2019). Despite all of this, the songstress has always stood by her parents. And they’ve stood by her too, through thick and thin.
Scott Swift and Andrea Swift Remain United In Support of Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift in a still from Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Credits: Disney+)
Even though Scott and Andrea divorced, they’ve stayed united when it comes to supporting their daughter. They may not be together anymore, but they both continue to be a huge part of her life. They’re often seen at Swift’s shows, especially during her Eras Tour.
Scott is the man with Swift’s guitar picks, handing them out to her fans. Andrea’s all about swapping friendship bracelets and chatting with fans, making everyone feel welcome. They both seem to be enjoying the ride, supporting Swift every step of the way.
— The Swift Society (@TheSwiftSociety) May 14, 2023
One of the cutest moments came during the summer of 2024, when Scott and Andrea met a fan at Swift’s London show. The fan was wearing a shirt that said, “I’m feeling 82!”—a reference to one of the pop star’s songs.
if you’d ever wonder why taylor is such a genuine and kind person these are her parents pic.twitter.com/IBDOqxA26z
They’re still super involved in their daughter’s life, whether they’re hanging out with fans or celebrating big milestones, like when they joined Swiftie and her boyfriend Travis Kelce to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win in 2024. So, even though their marriage ended, their love for Tay never did.
