Richard Carpenter, who was best known as 1/2 of "The Carpenters". His
sister, Karen had a voice of the heart by performing big hits such as
"Close To You", "Rainy Days on Mondays", "We've Only Just Begun", and
other megahits. Their dominance, ran out of steam in late 1976 due to
poor record sales. Karen, was struggling with her weight for years,
until she succumbed to heart failure on 4 February 1983. Richard still
performing in other projects.
Met his future wife in 1975, and finally married her in 1984.
On February 22, 1983, Richard received a letter of sympathy from Richard Nixon after his sister Karen Carpenter's death.
The Carpenters are the bestselling and most successful foreign artists in Japan. Their record sales have passed those of Michael Jackson and the Eagles.
Is on the honorary board of ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders).