Astronaut Reed Wiseman’s wife Carol has died tragically, leaving him a single father of 2

Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman is raising his two children as a single father following the tragic death of his wife, Carol.

“Carol Taylor Wiseman, 46, died May 17 in Friendswood, Texas, after a five-year battle with cancer,” in her 2020 obituary The Virginian Pilot says

Reid Wiseman is one of four crew members who embarked on the Artemis II lunar mission. They are traveling farther than any human race has ever traveled from Earth. “Reed Wiseman is a 27-year-old Navy veteran, pilot, father, engineer and native of Baltimore. He was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 2009 and served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station from May to November 2014,” NASA said.

Wiseman posted a selfie with his two daughters before takeoff, writing, “I love these two women, and I’m riding that rocket, a very proud father.”

Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carol, worked as a school nurse, her obituary says

Carol Wiseman worked as a nurse, her 2020 obituary says.

“Carroll, a native of Virginia Beach, was the daughter of Waller and Anne Taylor. She was a graduate of First Colonial High School, James Madison University and Virginia Commonwealth University,” her obituary read.

“After graduating as a pediatric nurse practitioner, Carol worked at Children’s Hospital of King’s Daughters (CHKD) and as a school nurse in Patuxent River, MD and later in Friendswood, TX,” the obit reads.

“Reid’s hometown is Baltimore, Maryland. His late wife, Carol, dedicated her life to helping others as a neonatal intensive care unit registered nurse,” NASA wrote.

Reid Wiseman’s daughter puts cookies in her luggage

In addition to her parents, Carol is survived by her husband, Capt. G. Reid Wiseman, USN, her two daughters, Ellie and Catherine, her sisters Catherine Taylor and Susan Taylor (Jonathan), her brother Robert Taylor (Jennifer), all of Virginia Beach, and seven nieces and nephews.

NASA’s bio for Wiseman also discusses this reality. Carol “is survived by two of their children. Despite a long list of professional accolades, Reid considers his time as a single parent to be the greatest challenge and the most rewarding phase of his life. When faced with a challenge in his personal or professional life, Reid often seeks guidance from books by subject matter experts, and maintains a growth mindset,” writes Space Solutions, a learning and support agency.

Wiseman posted on Instagram that one of her daughters had cookies in her luggage. “When you’re packing for the moon and discover some cookies your daughter made in your luggage. My heart can’t take it! ❤️❤️❤️” he wrote.

According to The Baltimore BannerWhile Carroll was ill, Reed “stepped back from active flight duty to serve in the Office of the Astronaut, first as assistant, then as chief. But he returned to the flight rotation in November 2022, and shortly thereafter, NASA invited him on a bold new mission: a cruise to the Moon.”

He prepared his daughters for the risks of space travel.

“I went for a walk with my kids, and I told them, ‘Here’s the will, here’s the trust documents, and if something happens to me, what’s going to happen to you,'” Reid Wiseman said at a NASA news conference. Banner. “It’s just a part of life.”

Reed Wiseman’s family includes his 83-year-old father, who is also dealing with cancer

Wiseman’s 83-year-old father also has cancer.

“I wanted to be alive to see it,” Bill Wiseman said of the Artemis launch. He said in an interview with The Baltimore Banner.

According to the newspaper, the family has gone through many hardships that have made him think about his own death. “His mother died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. His wife died of cancer. Now his father’s health is failing.” Banner Reported.

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This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on April 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a preferred resource by clicking here.