Caroline van der Leeuw
A Dutch vocalist who fused vintage jazz aesthetics with modern pop hooks, creating a uniquely stylish sound that dominated European charts in the 2010s.
Born 1981 (age 45)·Dutch pop and jazz singer·Birthday: April 26·Millennials
Biography
Caroline van der Leeuw, who first captivated audiences as Caro Emerald, didn't set out to be a retro sensation. Trained in jazz at the Amsterdam Conservatory, her powerful, smoky voice was discovered by producers who crafted a demo around a sample of 1940s jazz. The result was 'Back It Up,' an irresistible track that blended swing, tango, and pop, and became an overnight hit in the Netherlands. Her debut album, 'Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor,' spent a record-breaking 30 weeks at number one, its cinematic sound evoking a world of classic Hollywood glamour. Emerald's success proved the enduring appeal of analog warmth in a digital age, filling dance floors with a sound that felt both nostalgic and utterly fresh. In later years, she reinvented herself as part of the duo The Jordan, exploring more electronic and personal territory while retaining her distinctive vocal charisma.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Caroline was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Caroline Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Caroline's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Her debut album 'Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor' spent a record 30 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the Dutch album charts.
- Achieved a UK top 10 album with her debut, a rare feat for a Dutch artist performing in English.
- Single 'A Night Like This' reached number one in the Netherlands and became a major hit across Europe.
- Won multiple Edison Awards (the Dutch equivalent of the Grammys) and a BMI Award for her songwriting.
Did You Know?
She studied jazz singing at the Amsterdam Conservatory for five years.
Her stage name 'Emerald' was chosen for its association with the color green and a sense of preciousness.
The video for her song 'Liquid Lunch' features a cameo from actor John Cleese.
She performed the official song for the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ in Utrecht.
“That old microphone sound just felt right for the stories I wanted to tell.”
