Natalie Cole Net Worth

Natalie Cole’s Net Worth: A Look at the Life and Legacy of a Musical Icon

Natalie Cole, the daughter of legendary jazz singer Nat King Cole, carved her own path in the music industry, becoming a celebrated artist with a career spanning several decades. While her net worth at the time of her death in 2015 was reported to be $5 million, her impact on music and popular culture is immeasurable. This article delves into Natalie Cole’s life, exploring her early years, her musical triumphs, personal struggles, and the legacy she left behind.

Early Life and Influences

Born on February 6, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, Natalie Cole’s upbringing was steeped in music. Her father, the iconic Nat King Cole, was a global sensation, and her mother, Maria Cole, was a former singer with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Natalie’s exposure to the music industry began at a very young age. She sang on her father’s Christmas album at just six years old and started performing solo at the age of eleven. The influence of her parents, particularly her father’s smooth baritone and sophisticated style, was evident throughout her career.

After her father’s death from lung cancer in February 1965, when she was only fifteen, Natalie faced a period of personal adjustment and a strained relationship with her mother. She attended Northfield School for Girls in New England before enrolling at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she earned a degree in Child Psychology with a minor in German in 1972.

The Nat King Cole Estate: A Complex Inheritance

Nat King Cole’s estate was valued at $3.5 million in 1965, which would be equivalent to approximately $30 million today, accounting for inflation. Unfortunately, due to estate taxes and various other costs, the family ultimately received only $1 million, equal to about $7 million in today’s dollars. This situation highlights the importance of meticulous estate planning to ensure that assets are preserved and distributed according to the deceased’s wishes.

A Stellar Music Career

After graduating from university, Natalie Cole began performing in small clubs with her band, Black Magic. Though initially welcomed due to her famous lineage, club owners were sometimes disappointed when she performed covers of R&B and rock songs. This prompted her to collaborate with Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, a songwriting and production duo. They recorded demos in a Chicago studio owned by Curtis Mayfield. These recordings led to a record deal with Capitol Records, paving the way for her debut album, “Inseparable.”

“Inseparable,” released in 1975, was an immediate success. The album included hit singles like “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” and “I Can’t Say No.” “This Will Be” became a top-ten hit and earned Cole a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. She also won the Grammy for Best New Artist, making her the first African-American artist to achieve this honor. Media outlets dubbed her the “new Aretha Franklin,” which led to a perceived rivalry between the two singers.

Her subsequent albums, “Natalie” (1976) and “Unpredictable” (1977), continued her winning streak, with “Unpredictable” achieving platinum status thanks to the number-one hit “I’ve Got Love on My Mind.” “Thankful” (1977) also went platinum and featured the hit “Our Love.” Her first live album, “Natalie Live!,” was released in 1979, the same year she was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Further albums such as “I Love You So” and “We’re the Best of Friends” achieved gold status, solidifying her popularity. However, the success slowed with her eighth album, “Don’t Look Back.”

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Cole’s career rebounded in the 1990s, especially with “Unforgettable… with Love,” a tribute to her father, featuring digitally remastered duets. The album sold over seven million copies and earned her multiple Grammy Awards. Her exploration of jazz continued with CDs like “Take A Look” (1993) and “Stardust” (1996), further demonstrating her versatility.

Bankruptcy and Recovery

In 1997, at what was perceived as the peak of her career, Natalie Cole filed for bankruptcy. She attributed her financial troubles to excessive spending and the significant royalties she owed to her father’s estate for their duet album. This setback served as a turning point, prompting her to re-evaluate her financial habits and career choices. She eventually recovered and continued to release successful albums and perform worldwide.

Film and Television Ventures

Beyond her musical achievements, Natalie Cole also ventured into acting. In 2001, she portrayed herself in the biographical film “Livin’ for Love: The Natalie Cole Story,” which earned her an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress. She made a guest appearance on the reality television series “Real Housewives of New York City” in 2011, expanding her reach and captivating a broader audience.

Personal Life and Enduring Legacy

Natalie Cole’s personal life was marked by three marriages. Her first marriage was to Marvin Yancy, with whom she had a son, Robert Adam “Robbie” Yancy, who tragically passed away in 2017. She married producer Andre Fischer in 1989, and they divorced in 1995. In 2001, she married Bishop Kenneth Dupree, but the marriage ended in 2004.

Throughout her life, Cole battled health issues, including hepatitis C, which she contracted through intravenous drug use. In December 2015, she canceled several performances due to her illness. On December 31, 2015, at the age of 65, Natalie Cole died of congestive heart failure. Her funeral was a star-studded affair, with tributes from Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, and many others. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Natalie Cole’s impact on the music industry is undeniable. Her ability to blend R&B, pop, and jazz, along with her powerful vocals, made her a unique and beloved artist. Despite her personal struggles, she left behind a rich discography and a legacy that continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers.