Natalie Cole
Learn about Natalie Cole (1950–2015), the American singer, songwriter, and actress who forged her own legacy beyond being Nat King Cole’s daughter. From R&B hits to jazz standards, battles with addiction and illness, and triumphant comebacks, her life was unforgettable.
Introduction
Natalie Maria Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and actress whose artistry spanned R&B, jazz, pop, and standards. She earned nine Grammy Awards, sold over 30 million records worldwide, and achieved one of the most symbolic musical comebacks with her tribute album Unforgettable…With Love, in which she performed a virtual duet with her late father, Nat King Cole.
Though her heritage and family name loomed large, Natalie Cole built a distinct and resilient career—marked by personal struggles, reinvention, and deep musical range.
Early Life and Family
Natalie Cole was born in Los Angeles, California, to legendary vocalist-pianist Nat King Cole and Maria Hawkins Ellington (a singer with ties to the Duke Ellington Orchestra)
She had several siblings, including her sister Carole “Cookie” Cole and adoptive brother Nat Kelly Cole.
Her childhood was also touched by loss: Nat King Cole died of lung cancer in 1965, when Natalie was 15. This event had a profound emotional impact on her life and her relationship with music.
In academia, she attended Northfield School for Girls (later Northfield Mount Hermon) and later enrolled at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, majoring in child psychology (with a minor in German). She graduated in 1972.
Musical Career & Achievements
Early Career & Rise in R&B
After college, Natalie began performing in small clubs with her band Black Magic Capitol Records, the same label her father had worked with.
Her debut album Inseparable (1975) included the hit single “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”. The song became a top 10 hit on the pop charts and won her a Grammy.
Because of her success, she won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 18th Grammys, becoming the first African-American and first R&B act to win that award.
Her subsequent albums in the late 1970s—Natalie (1976), Unpredictable (1977), Thankful (1977)—produced hits such as “Sophisticated Lady,” “I’ve Got Love on My Mind,” and “Our Love.”
Career Challenges & Reinvention
By the early 1980s, Natalie Cole’s life was disrupted by substance abuse, including heroin and crack cocaine. Her addictions contributed to career decline, personal strife, and public scrutiny.
In 1987, she released Everlasting, which marked a comeback by featuring covers and a pop sensibility—her rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s “Pink Cadillac” was part of the resurgence. Good to Be Back included the hit “Miss You Like Crazy,” which became particularly successful in the UK.
Tribute to Her Father & Major Success
The pivotal moment came with her 1991 album Unforgettable…With Love. This collection of jazz/pop standards included a posthumous duet: her vocal performance was blended with her late father's 1950s recording of “Unforgettable.” Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance.
This success re-established her as a major artist, now connected to the legacy of her father, but also as a powerful performer in her own right.
She continued recording, alternating between jazz standards and contemporary styles (albums like Take a Look, Holly & Ivy, Stardust, Ask a Woman Who Knows, Leavin’) and remained active in television, film, and musical theater.
Over her career she earned nine Grammy Awards (from 21 nominations) and sold more than 30 million records worldwide.
She was also honored by the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.
Personal Life, Struggles & Health
Natalie Cole married three times:
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Marvin Yancy (1976–1980), a producer and songwriter. They had one son, Robert Adam “Robbie” Yancy (born 1977).
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Andre Fischer (1989–1995), former drummer and producer.
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Bishop Kenneth Dupree (married 2001, divorced 2004)
Her son Robbie Yancy died in 2017 of a heart attack at age 39.
Her struggles with drugs had long-term health consequences. In 2008, it was revealed she had been diagnosed with hepatitis C, which she attributed to past intravenous drug use.
In 2009, she suffered kidney failure and underwent dialysis. Later, she received a kidney transplant after donors were found.
Towards the end, she was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, and in December 2015 she canceled several performances due to illness.
On December 31, 2015 (New Year’s Eve), Natalie Cole passed away in Los Angeles at age 65. The official cause was congestive heart failure, a complication of her pulmonary condition and prior health challenges.
Her funeral was held January 11, 2016, in Los Angeles; many notable musicians and public figures attended. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Legacy & Influence
Natalie Cole’s legacy is a testament to both her musical gifts and her resilience. A few key aspects:
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She is remembered as someone who bridged generational artistry—honoring her father’s legacy while affirming her own voice and style.
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Her “duet” with her father on Unforgettable became symbolic: not merely a tribute, but a reclaiming of identity and family connection.
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Her comeback after addiction and health struggles is often held up as inspirational—her ability to reinvent herself musically and personally resonates with many.
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She helped expand the palette of female artists who cross between R&B, pop, jazz, and standards—demonstrating versatility without losing authenticity.
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Her story underscores the interconnection between art, personal struggle, and redemption.
She continues to be celebrated posthumously in tributes, reissues, and recognition in music halls of fame.
Memorable Quotes
Natalie Cole was not widely quoted, but some of her remarks reflect her outlook:
“I am grateful for the knowledge and wisdom that’s come to me as a result of what I have been through.”
“I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes. But I have also tried to learn and to grow.”
“Music, for me, is a way to live, a way to speak what I feel when I can’t speak it any other way.”
(These quotes are drawn from interviews, public statements, and her autobiography Angel on My Shoulder.)
One more notable reflection she shared in interviews:
“I always felt I should be more than the daughter of Nat King Cole.”
This sentiment captures part of her internal journey—navigating legacy while forging autonomy.
Lessons & Reflections
From Natalie Cole’s life and career, we can draw several enduring lessons:
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Legacy can be both gift and burden
Her father’s name opened doors—but also set high expectations. True artistry requires balancing heritage with individuality. -
Resilience is central to longevity
Her comebacks from addiction, illness, and career dips show that persistence and reinvention matter. -
Art can heal
Music became a vehicle for expression, connection, and redemption for her—especially in times when life challenged her deeply. -
Dignity amid struggle
She faced public scrutiny and private pain but aimed to maintain dignity and growth. -
Embrace multiple selves
Natalie moved fluidly across genres (R&B, pop, jazz, standards), showing that artists need not be confined by early success or genre boxes.
Conclusion
Natalie Cole’s life was layered—rich in musical triumphs, marked by deep challenges, and defined by reinvention. She built a legacy that went beyond being a daughter of a legend to becoming a legend in her own right. Her voice, her battles, her courage—these make her story unforgettable.