Who Is Aoife O’Donovan Dating? Love Life & Partner Details

Aoife O’Donovan, the Grammy Award-winning folk singer known for her ethereal voice and songwriting, has built not only a remarkable musical career but also a beautiful personal life with her husband, conductor Eric Jacobsen. Their love story represents a perfect harmony between two accomplished musicians who have successfully balanced demanding touring schedules with family life.

The Irish-American singer, born November 18, 1982, in Boston, Massachusetts, has become one of the most respected voices in contemporary folk and Americana music. Best known as the lead singer of the string band Crooked Still and co-founder of the Grammy Award-winning trio I’m with Her, O’Donovan has released four critically acclaimed studio albums, including her most recent works “Age of Apathy” (2022) and “All My Friends” (2024), both nominated for Grammy Awards.

While her professional achievements are well-documented, her personal life with Eric Jacobsen reveals a deeper story of two artists who found love while in the complex world of professional music. Their relationship demonstrates how two touring musicians can create a stable, loving partnership while pursuing their individual artistic passions. This exploration of O’Donovan’s romantic life offers insight into how she balances her roles as a celebrated performer, devoted wife, and dedicated mother.

Meeting Her Musical Match

Aoife O’Donovan married Eric Jacobsen in 2016, marking the beginning of a partnership that extends far beyond romance into the of musical collaboration. Jacobsen, an accomplished conductor and cellist, leads the Brooklyn-based orchestra The Knights, establishing himself as a significant figure in the classical music world.

Their relationship represents a unique union of two distinct musical genres – O’Donovan’s folk and Americana roots meeting Jacobsen’s classical training and conducting expertise. This musical diversity has enriched both their personal relationship and their artistic endeavors, creating opportunities for cross-genre collaboration that might not have existed otherwise.

The timing of their marriage coincided with O’Donovan’s continued rise in the folk music scene, as she was simultaneously developing her solo career while maintaining her commitments to Crooked Still and later forming I’m with Her. Jacobsen’s understanding of the demands of a musical career proved invaluable in supporting O’Donovan’s artistic growth.

Building a Family While Touring

In 2017, just one year after their marriage, Aoife and Eric welcomed their daughter, Ivy Jo, adding a new dimension to their lives as touring musicians. The arrival of their daughter presented both challenges and opportunities for the couple, who were accustomed to spending significant time on the road pursuing their individual careers.

Eric Jacobsen has openly discussed the complexities of their lifestyle, describing how they typically spend about seven months on the road, often apart from each other. This demanding schedule requires careful coordination, with both parents maintaining detailed calendars planned months or even years in advance to ensure proper childcare and family time.

The couple’s approach to parenting reflects their commitment to both their family and their artistic careers. They have learned to navigate the unique challenges of being touring musicians while raising a young child, often coordinating their schedules to ensure that Ivy Jo is properly cared for while allowing both parents to pursue their professional obligations.

Musical Collaboration and Creative Partnership

Beyond their romantic relationship, Aoife O’Donovan and Eric Jacobsen have developed a rich creative partnership that enhances both their individual artistic pursuits. Their collaboration became particularly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when both musicians suddenly found their touring schedules canceled.

Jacobsen described this unexpected time together as “musically priceless,” noting how he, O’Donovan, and his brother Colin (also a musician) formed a natural band during lockdown. This period allowed them to explore musical territories they had never had time to investigate, creating new arrangements of O’Donovan’s songs and developing original compositions together.

Their musical partnership extends beyond casual collaboration. Jacobsen’s classical training and conducting experience bring a different perspective to O’Donovan’s folk-oriented compositions, while her songwriting abilities and vocal expertise offer him new creative outlets beyond his orchestral work. This cross-pollination of musical styles has enriched both their individual careers and their relationship.

Professional Demands Together

The relationship between O’Donovan and Jacobsen demonstrates how two successful musicians can support each other’s careers while maintaining their individual artistic identities. Both have demanding professional schedules – O’Donovan with her solo career, band commitments, and numerous collaborations, and Jacobsen with his orchestral conducting and The Knights performances.

Their partnership requires constant communication and flexibility. When the pandemic disrupted their carefully planned schedules in March 2020, they lost approximately six months of upcoming concerts. However, rather than viewing this as purely negative, they used the opportunity to deepen their musical relationship and spend quality time with their daughter.

The couple’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances while supporting each other’s professional goals exemplifies a mature partnership built on mutual respect and understanding. They recognize that their individual successes contribute to their collective happiness and stability as a family unit.

Life in Brooklyn and Future Plans

Currently residing in Brooklyn, New York, the family has established roots in one of America’s most vibrant musical communities. O’Donovan moved to New York from Boston approximately four years before a 2019 interview, indicating that the couple chose Brooklyn as their home base around 2015, shortly before their marriage.

Brooklyn’s rich musical scene provides both musicians with numerous opportunities for collaboration and performance while offering a stable home environment for raising their daughter. The city’s cultural diversity and artistic energy align well with both O’Donovan’s folk sensibilities and Jacobsen’s classical background.

Their future appears to involve continued collaboration both personally and professionally. As Ivy Jo grows older, the family will likely adapt their touring schedules and living arrangements to accommodate her needs while allowing both parents to maintain their artistic careers.

A Partnership Built on Music and Mutual Respect

Aoife O’Donovan’s relationship with Eric Jacobsen represents more than a typical celebrity marriage – it’s a partnership between two dedicated artists who have found ways to support each other’s creative endeavors while building a loving family. Their story demonstrates that successful relationships in the music industry require understanding, flexibility, and shared commitment to both artistic excellence and family values.

Their marriage continues to evolve as both musicians grow in their respective careers, with O’Donovan’s recent Grammy nominations and Jacobsen’s ongoing work with The Knights. Together, they represent a modern musical family that successfully balances professional ambition with personal fulfillment, creating harmony both on stage and at home.

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