Taylor Swift's Cats Lead Amazing Lives (Here's The Purroof)
Not since Ernest Hemingway has a celebrity's love for cats been as iconic as Taylor Swift's. While Hemingway surrounded himself with polydactyl felines, Swift, a self-proclaimed "childless cat lady," has made her trio of cats — Meredith Grey (a Scottish fold, homed in 2011), Olivia Benson (also a Scottish fold, 2014), and Benjamin Button (a ragdoll, 2019) — a key part of her public life. These aren't your average house cats and sometimes seem too ridiculous for this planet. They travel in private accomodations, star in music videos, and enjoy a life of luxury that most could only dream of.
But it's not all about the material things for Swift's cats. She also makes sure to give them plenty of love and attention. She takes them on walks in places like New York City, and even dedicated a room in one of her houses to felines. Swift's cats are more than just pets — they're part of the family.
Meredith and Olivia are fame-forward felines
Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson aren't just fluffy cats for your enjoyment — they're full-fledged celebrities in their own right, complete with pop culture-inspired monikers. Taylor Swift named Meredith after the iconic character from "Grey's Anatomy,", while Olivia's name was drawn from another fictional character: the detective from "Law & Order: SVU." Together, they've captured the hearts of Swift's fans and risen to fame right alongside their famous owner.
These two felines have made frequent appearances on Swift's social media. Whether they're lounging on her furniture or staring into the camera with their signature wide-eyed expressions, Meredith and Olivia often steal the spotlight. During her "1989" and "Reputation" eras, they made cameos in behind-the-scenes moments, giving Swifties an inside look at her home life.
Their fame isn't limited to social media, though. Olivia, in particular, hit the big time when she starred in a 2014 Diet Coke commercial. Both felines have experienced the perks of celebrity life, enjoying the comforts of Swift's luxurious homes across the U.S.
Benjamin Button: From pet shelter to penthouse
In the realm of Taylor Swift's feline trinity, Benjamin Button's meteoric ascent to stardom is a modern-day Cinderella story. Once a humble shelter kitten, this extraordinary feline has transformed into a celebrated superstar. The adorable ragdoll cat made its way into Swift's life in a manner befitting a celebrity pet. The encounter occurred on the set of her "ME!" music video in 2019, a collaboration with Brendon Urie from Panic! At the Disco. As the filming progressed, Swift's heart was captured by the kitten's charm. She couldn't resist adopting him by the end of the shoot, and was eager to share her newfound joy with the world.
After Benjamin's adoption, Swift took to Instagram to introduce her newest family member with the caption "And then there were three...", instantly creating buzz among her fans. Benjamin's charm and wide-eyed innocence won even more hearts, and his debut on social media was nothing short of a viral moment. From that point on, Benjamin joined Meredith and Olivia in the Swift household, and like his elder feline siblings, he quickly became a beloved celebrity cat.
Now, Benjamin — named after F. Scott Fitzgerald's reverse-aging character in his 1922 short story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (along with the 2008 film adaptation) — travels the world with Swift, enjoying the perks of a superstar's pet. True to his "working cat" roots, he doesn't rest on his laurels. Benjamin appeared on the cover of Time Magazine when Swift became its 2023 Person of the Year. More recently, the ragdoll helped express his human's political determination by appearing in Swift's Instagram endorsement of Kamala Harris for the 47th President of the United States.
Meredith, Oliva, and Benjamin are furry fashion icons
Taylor Swift's cats have transcended the role of pets to become bona fide fashion icons. From Meredith and Olivia featuring on the star's official merchandise to the latter's chic appearances on the streets of New York, these felines have taken the fashion world by the whiskers. For instance, during her "Reputation Stadium Tour," Swift launched a line of cat-themed items, including t-shirts and accessories sporting the faces of Meredith and Olivia, which quickly became fan favorites.
Beyond tour merch, Swift's commitment to cat fashion runs deep and wide. She has been spotted transporting her cats in designer carriers, and her love for her furry family extends to her personal wardrobe, with fans often seeing her in cat-themed attire and accessories. With their influence crossing into both pop culture and fashion, these felines prove that they are true trendsetters in the world of celebrity pets.
Fans can't get enough of Swift's cats
Swifties are not just fans of the megastar, they're fans of her cats, too. As part of the cats-are-taking-over-the-world trend, Meredith, Olivia, and Benjamin have built up their own followings within the Swiftie community, with fans eagerly awaiting each new social media appearance. Swifties share memes, fan art, and even create accounts dedicated entirely to the feline trio. Olivia Benson's infamous "disapproving face" has become a meme sensation, inspiring everything from playful jokes to comparisons with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid's sideline expressions.
These cats have become symbols of Swift's personal life, allowing fans to feel connected to her beyond the music. The feline trio has grown so popular that Swifties often incorporate them into fan theories, speculating on when the cats will make their next cameo in Swift's projects. Their solicitude for these furry felines has gone so far as to "demand proof of life" when Meredith seemingly went missing from social media updates. Swift's cats are as beloved as her hit songs, solidifying their place in pop culture.
From luxury digs and travel to an impressive net worth
Whether they're lounging by the windows of Taylor Swift's Tribeca loft or roaming the lush lawns of her Rhode Island mansion, these cats bask in constant luxury and unparalleled creature comfort. Their travel arrangements are just as extravagant. Swift has flown with her cats on her private jets. Despite having sold one of these aircrafts and paying double the carbon offsets, scrutiny of the pop icon's carbon footprint continues. Outside of these challenges, you can safely assume that the care of these well-traveled fur babies is bar none.
Not accessories, not sidekicks, but central characters themselves, Swift's cats also "work" for their life of luxury via their social media, music video, and commercial appearances. These glimpses of privilege cemented their status as more than just pets — they became famous pop culture figures in their own right. Indeed, they're so famous, Swift has trademarked their names for both human- and cat-related products. Adding to their fame is their fortune. With an estimated net worth of $97 million, Olivia alone is reportedly richer than Swift's human significant other, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.They really are the cat's meow, and then some.