View source for Natalie Cole

{{short description|American singer (1950–2015)}}
{{about||the American educator|Natalie Robinson Cole}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{cleanup|reason=Remove unsourced statements|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Natalie Cole
| image              = Nataliecole2007.jpg
| caption            = Cole performing in 2007
| birth_name         = Natalie Maria Cole
| birth_date         = {{birth date|1950|2|6}}
| birth_place        = [[Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| death_date         = {{death date and age|2015|12|31|1950|2|6}}
| death_place        = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| resting_place      = [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]]
| occupation         = {{Flat list|
*Singer
*songwriter
*actress}}
| years_active       = 1956–2015
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|[[Marvin Yancy]]|1976|1980|reason=div.}}|{{marriage|Andre Fischer|1989|1995|reason=div.}}|{{marriage|Kenneth Dupree<br />|2001|2004|reason=div.}}}}
| children           = 1
| parents            = [[Nat King Cole]]<br />[[Maria Cole]]
| relatives          = {{plainlist|
*[[Carole Cole]] (sister)
*[[Eddie Cole (musician)|Eddie Cole]] (uncle)
*[[Ike Cole]] (uncle)
*[[Freddy Cole]] (uncle)
*[[Lionel Cole]] (cousin)
}}
| module             = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes
| background  = solo_singer
| instrument  = Vocals
| origin      = [[Chicago, Illinois]], U.S.
| genre       = {{Flat list|
*[[Soul music|Soul]]
*[[Rhythm and blues|R&B]]
*[[Pop music|pop]]
*[[jazz]]}}
| label       = {{Flat list| 
*[[Capitol Records|Capitol]]
*[[Epic Records|Epic]]
*[[Modern Records (1980)|Modern]]
*[[Manhattan Records|EMI-Manhattan]]
*[[Elektra Records|Elektra]]
*[[Verve Records|Verve]]
*DMI / [[Atco Records|ATCO]]|}}
| website     = {{url|https://officialnataliecole.com}}
}}
}}
'''Natalie Maria Cole''' (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She was the daughter of singer and [[jazz]] pianist [[Nat King Cole]]. She rose to prominence in the mid-1970s, with the release of her debut album [[Inseparable (album)|''Inseparable'']] (1975), along with the song "[[This Will Be|This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)]]", and the album's [[Inseparable (song)|title track]]. Its success led to her receiving the [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist]] at the [[18th Annual Grammy Awards]], for which she became the first African-American recipient as well as the first [[R&B]] act to win the award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Folk |first=Antwane |date=February 5, 2015 |title=Grammy History: Natalie Cole First R&B Artist to Win Best New Artist |url=https://ratedrnb.com/2015/02/grammy-history-natalie-cole-first-black-artist-win-best-new-artist/ |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Rated R&B |language=en-US}}</ref> The singles "[[Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)|Sophisticated Lady]]" (1976), "[[I've Got Love on My Mind]]", and "[[Our Love (Natalie Cole song)|Our Love]]" (1977) followed.

After releasing several albums, she departed from her R&B sound and returned as a [[Pop music|pop]] singer on the 1987 album [[Everlasting (Natalie Cole album)|''Everlasting'']], along with her cover of [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Pink Cadillac (song)|Pink Cadillac]]". In the 1990s, she sang [[traditional pop]] by her father, resulting in her biggest success, ''[[Unforgettable... with Love]]'', which was certified [[RIAA certification|7× platinum]] by the [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA). ''Unforgettable... with Love'' won the [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year]], for which Cole became the first African-American woman to win the award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hobson |first=Janell |date=February 7, 2023 |title=When Black Women's 'Excellence' Isn't Good Enough |url=https://msmagazine.com/2023/02/07/beyonce-grammys-black-women/ |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Ms. Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref>

Throughout her lifetime, Cole received nine [[Grammy Awards]], was nominated for a [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natalie Cole |url=https://www.emmys.com/bios/natalie-cole |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Television Academy |language=en}}</ref> and sold over 30 million records worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ovensauditorium.com/default.asp?ovens=40&objId=683 |title=The Charlotte Symphony with Natalie Cole |publisher=Ovens Auditorium |date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=February 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416042110/http://www.ovensauditorium.com/default.asp?ovens=40&objId=683 |archive-date=April 16, 2012 }}</ref> She was awarded the [[Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award]] from the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]] in 1999,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Natalie Cole {{!}} Songwriters Hall of Fame |url=https://www.songhall.org/awards/winner/Natalie_Cole |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Songhall.org}}</ref> and has been posthumously inducted into the [[National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame]] (2021),<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 24, 2022 |title=Inductees {{!}} R&B HOF |url=https://rbhalloffamemarksms.com/inductees/ |website=Rbhalloffamemarksms.com|access-date=February 11, 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> and received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chad |date=October 25, 2019 |title=Natalie Cole |url=https://walkoffame.com/natalie-cole/ |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=Walkoffame.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Natalie Cole was born at [[Cedars of Lebanon Hospital]] in [[Los Angeles, California]], to American singer and jazz pianist [[Nat King Cole]] and former [[Duke Ellington]] Orchestra singer [[Maria Cole|Maria Hawkins Ellington]] and raised in the affluent [[Hancock Park, Los Angeles|Hancock Park]] district of Los Angeles.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/natalie-cole-leaves-the-past-behind/ Natalie Cole Leaves The Past Behind] Cole Experiences Renewal on New Album 'Leavin' – HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (September 24, 2006) by Caitlin A. Johnson – ''CBSnews.com'' Retrieved on 05-23-07</ref> Regarding her childhood, Cole referred to her family as "the black [[Kennedy family|Kennedys]]" and was exposed to many great singers of jazz, [[soul music|soul]] and [[blues music|blues]]. Cole sang on her father's 1960 Christmas album [[The Magic of Christmas (Nat King Cole album)|''The Magic of Christmas'']] and later started performing at age 11.

Cole grew up with an older adopted sister, [[Carole Cole|Carole "Cookie" Cole]] (1944–2009), her mother Maria's younger sister's daughter, adopted brother Nat "Kelly" Cole (1959–1995), and younger twin sisters Timolin and Casey (born 1961).<ref>[http://www.blacknews.com/pr/tvone-nataliecole101.html Natalie Cole Offers a Candid Look At Her Life in TV One On One Interview Premiering Sunday, Sept. 24 At 9 PM] ''Blacknews.com'' Retrieved on May 23, 2007 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061103101817/http://www.blacknews.com/pr/tvone-nataliecole101.html |date=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> Through her mother, Cole was a grandniece of educator [[Charlotte Hawkins Brown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digtriad.com/news/local_state/article.aspx?storyid=104720&catid=57 |title=Nat King Cole Widow Coming To North Carolina |website=Digtriad.com |date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=July 15, 2012}}</ref> Her paternal uncle [[Freddy Cole]] was a singer and pianist with numerous albums and awards.

Cole enrolled in Northfield School for Girls (since 1971 known as [[Northfield Mount Hermon School]] after merging with another school), an elite New England preparatory school, before her father died of lung cancer in February 1965. Soon afterwards she began having a difficult relationship with her mother. Cole attended [[Buckley School (California)|The Buckley School]], a private school in Sherman Oaks, California, and then enrolled in the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]]. She transferred briefly to [[University of Southern California]], where she pledged the Upsilon chapter of [[Delta Sigma Theta]] sorority. She later transferred back to the University of Massachusetts, where she majored in [[Child Psychology]] and minored in [[German Language|German]], graduating in 1972.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Natalie-Cole|title=Natalie Cole {{!}} American singer|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=June 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amherstbulletin.com/Archives/2016/01/j8nataliecole-hg-010416|title=Recalling Cole's Amherst days|last=Merzbach|first=Scott|website=Amherstbulletin.com|date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=June 25, 2018}}</ref>

==Music career==
===Early career===
[[File:Natalie and Carole Cole 1975.jpg|thumb|Natalie and [[Carole Cole]] at NBC studios, 1975]]

Cole grew up listening to a variety of music that included [[Aretha Franklin]] and [[Janis Joplin]]. After graduation in 1972 she began singing at small clubs with her band, Black Magic. Clubs initially welcomed her because she was Nat King Cole's daughter, only to be disappointed when she began singing cover versions of R&B and rock songs.

With the assistance of [[Chuck Jackson]] and Marvin Yancy, a songwriting and producing duo, she recorded some songs in a studio in Chicago that was owned by [[Curtis Mayfield]]. Her demo tapes led to a contract with [[Capitol Records|Capitol]],<ref name="Wynn">{{cite web |last1=Wynn |first1=Ron |title=Natalie Cole |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/natalie-cole-mn0000074195/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=September 23, 2018}}</ref> resulting in the release of Cole's debut album, ''[[Inseparable (album)|Inseparable]]'', which included songs that reminded listeners of [[Aretha Franklin]]. Franklin later contended that songs such as "[[This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)|This Will Be]]", "I Can't Say No", and others were offered to her while she was recording the album ''[[You (Aretha Franklin album)|You]]'' but she had turned them down. Released in 1975, the album became an instant success thanks to "This Will Be", which became a top ten hit and won her a [[Grammy Award]] for [[Best Female R&B Vocal Performance]].

A second single,
"[[Inseparable (song)|Inseparable]]", also became a hit. Both songs reached number-one on the R&B chart. Cole won [[Best New Artist]] at the Grammy Awards for her accomplishments, making her the first African-American artist to attain that feat.{{citation needed|date=September 2018}} The media's billing of Cole as the "new Aretha Franklin" started a rivalry between the two singers. The feud boiled over at the [[19th Annual Grammy Awards]] in 1977 when Cole beat Franklin in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category, a category which Franklin had won in the first eight years of the category. Contrary to popular belief, Franklin wasn't nominated for a Grammy for the [[18th Grammy Awards|1976 ceremony]], but Cole and Franklin were nominated in the following year where Cole's 1976 hit "[[Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)]]" beat Franklin's "[[Something He Can Feel]]" for that Grammy.

===Stardom===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
Becoming an instant star, Cole responded to critics who predicted a sophomore slump with ''[[Natalie (Natalie Cole album)|Natalie]]'', released in 1976. The album, like ''Inseparable'', became a gold success thanks to the [[funk]]-influenced cut "[[Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)|Sophisticated Lady]]" and the [[jazz]]-influenced "Mr. Melody".

Cole released her first [[Music recording sales certifications|platinum]] record with her third release, ''[[Unpredictable (Natalie Cole album)|Unpredictable]]'', mainly thanks to the number-one R&B hit "[[I've Got Love on My Mind]]". Originally an album track, the album's closer, "I'm Catching Hell", nonetheless became a popular Cole song during live concert shows. Later in 1977, Cole issued her fourth release and second platinum album, ''[[Thankful (Natalie Cole album)|Thankful]]'', which included another signature Cole hit, "[[Our Love (Natalie Cole song)|Our Love]]". Cole was the first female artist to have two platinum albums in one year. To capitalize on her fame, Cole starred on her own TV special, which attracted such celebrities as [[Earth, Wind & Fire]], and appeared on the TV special, "Sinatra and Friends". In 1978, Cole released her first live album, ''[[Natalie Live!]]''

In early 1979, the singer was awarded a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. That same year, she released two more albums, ''[[I Love You So]]'' and the [[Peabo Bryson]] duet album, ''[[We're the Best of Friends]]''.

=== Detour and resurgence ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}
[[File:NATALIE COLE.jpg|thumb|Cole in 1996]]
Following the release of her eighth album, 1980's ''[[Don't Look Back (Natalie Cole album)|Don't Look Back]]'', Cole's career began to take a detour. While Cole scored an [[adult contemporary]] hit with the [[soft rock]] ballad "Someone That I Used to Love" off the album, the album itself failed to go gold. In 1981, Cole's personal problems, including battles with [[drug addiction]], began to attract public notice, and her career suffered as a result. In 1983, following the release of her album ''[[I'm Ready (Natalie Cole album)|I'm Ready]]'', released on [[Epic Records|Epic]], Cole entered a rehab facility in Connecticut and stayed there for six months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nhregister.com/life/article/Natalie-Cole-shares-secret-to-beating-addiction-5421263.php|title=Natalie Cole shares secret to beating addiction|newspaper=New Haven Register|date=April 22, 2014}}</ref>

Following her release, she signed with the [[Atco Records|Atco]] imprint [[Modern Records (1980)|Modern Records]] and released ''[[Dangerous (Natalie Cole album)|Dangerous]]'', which started a slow resurgence for Cole in terms of record sales and chart success. In 1987, she changed to [[Manhattan Records|EMI-Manhattan Records]] and released the album ''[[Everlasting (Natalie Cole album)|Everlasting]]'', which returned her to the top of the charts thanks to singles such as "Jump Start (My Heart)", the top ten ballad, "[[I Live for Your Love]]", and her dance-pop cover of [[Bruce Springsteen]]'s "[[Pink Cadillac (song)|Pink Cadillac]]". That success helped ''Everlasting'' reach one million in sales and become Cole's first platinum album in ten years.

In 1989, she released her follow-up to ''Everlasting'', ''[[Good to Be Back]]'', which produced the number seven hit "[[Miss You Like Crazy]]", which became her biggest hit in the United Kingdom by reaching number two on the [[UK Singles Chart]]. While the album failed to reach Gold certification in the US, it achieved international success by becoming her only top ten album in the UK, and later being certified Gold there.

Cole released her bestselling album with 1991's ''[[Unforgettable... with Love]]'' on [[Elektra Records]], which saw Cole singing songs her famous father recorded, nearly 20 years after she initially had refused to cover her father's songs during live concerts. Cole produced vocal arrangements for the songs, with piano accompaniment by her uncle [[Ike Cole]]. Cole's label released an interactive duet between Cole and her father on the title song, "[[Unforgettable (Irving Gordon song)|Unforgettable]]". The song eventually reached number fourteen on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] and number ten on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] chart, going gold. ''Unforgettable...with Love'' eventually sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S. alone and won several Grammys, including [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]], [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance|Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance]] for the top song.

Alongside signing for new material with Elektra, she transferred rights of her EMI-Manhattan catalog.

Cole followed that success with another album of jazz standards, titled ''[[Take a Look (Natalie Cole album)|Take a Look]]'', in 1993, which included her recording of the title track in the same styling that her idol Aretha Franklin had recorded nearly 30 years earlier. The album eventually went gold while a holiday album, ''[[Holly & Ivy]]'', also became gold. Another standards release, ''[[Stardust (Natalie Cole album)|Stardust]]'', went platinum and featured another duet with her father on a modern version of "[[When I Fall in Love]]", which helped Cole earn another Grammy for [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals|Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals]].

In 1995, Cole was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from the [[Berklee College of Music]].

In 1999, Cole returned to her 1980s-era urban contemporary recording style with the release of ''Snowfall on the Sahara'' on June and second Christmas album ''The Magic of Christmas'' on October, which recorded with London Symphony Orchestra. A year later, the singer collaborated on the production of her biopic, ''Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story'' with Theresa Randle playing Natalie Cole. She also released the compilation ''Greatest Hits, Vol. 1'' to fulfill her contract with Elektra. All albums she recorded for Elektra and EMI-Manhattan are no longer controlled by Warner Music Group; they were sold to [[Concord Music Group]] and are available digitally via [[Craft Recordings]] division.

She changed to [[Verve Records]] and released two albums. ''[[Ask a Woman Who Knows]]'' (2002) continued her jazz aspirations, while ''[[Leavin' (album)|Leavin]]'' (2006) was an album of pop, rock, and R&B songs. Her version of "Daydreaming" by Aretha Franklin was a minor hit on the R&B chart. In 2008, seventeen years after ''Unforgettable... with Love'', she released ''Still Unforgettable'', which included songs made famous by her father and Frank Sinatra. In April 2012, she appeared on the ''Pennington Great Performers'' with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra.

== Television and film career ==
[[File:Natalie Cole at the 44th Emmy Awards cropped and airbrushed.jpg|thumb|Cole at the 1992 [[Emmy Awards]]]]
Cole pursued a career in acting. She appeared several times in concerts or other music related programs, including the 1988 Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute with sidemen [[Richard Campbell (American musician)|Richard Campbell]], Jeffrey Worrell, [[Eddie Cole (musician)|Eddie Cole]], and Dave Joyce.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10155341/Nelson-Mandela-birthday-tribute-concerts-how-they-helped-change-the-world.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10155341/Nelson-Mandela-birthday-tribute-concerts-how-they-helped-change-the-world.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Nelson Mandela birthday tribute concerts: how they helped change the world|first=Rupert|last=Hawksley|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=December 6, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1990, Cole hosted the TV show [[Big Break (United States)|''Big Break'']], a talent competition where singers and musicians competed for a $100,000 prize.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1991-04-10-9102010969-story.html|title=THE $100,000 MEN|last=Text by Karen E. Klages|date=April 10, 1991|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Collier|first=Aldore|date=November 26, 1990|title=Natalie Cole Says Her 'Big Break' TV Show Spotlights New Black Entertainers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lbsDAAAAMBAJ&q=Natalie+Cole+Big+Break&pg=PA56|journal=Jet|volume=79|issue=7|pages=56–58}}</ref> That year, she and [[Al Jarreau]] sang "Mr. President" on the television special ''Comic Relief'' special.

After [[Johnny Mathis]] appeared on a special of Cole's in 1980, the two kept in contact, and in 1983 he invited her to be a part of his television special ''A Tribute to Nat Cole'' for the BBC in England. An album of the same name was released. In 1992, following the success of the ''Unforgettable: With Love'' album, PBS broadcast a special based on the album. ''Unforgettable, With Love: Natalie Cole Sings the Songs of Nat "King" Cole'' received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program. Cole received a nomination for Outstanding Individual Performance but lost to [[Bette Midler]].

In 1993, she was among the guests of honor attending ''Wrestlemania IX'' at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. At the 65th Academy Awards she performed a medley of two Oscar-nominated songs: "[[Run to You (Whitney Houston song)|Run to You]]" and "[[I Have Nothing]]", both performed by Whitney Houston in the film ''The Bodyguard''. Cole made a number of dramatic appearances on television, including ''I'll Fly Away'', ''Touched by an Angel'', ''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', and ''Grey's Anatomy''.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1172344_3_0_,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060323031328/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,1172344_3_0_,00.html|archive-date=March 23, 2006|title=Grey's Anatomy|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|date=March 23, 2006|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>

She had the lead role in the TV movie ''Lily in Winter''. She appeared in the Cole Porter biopic ''De-Lovely''. In 2001, she starred as herself in ''Livin' for Love: the Natalie Cole Story'', for which she received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special.

On the February 5, 2007, episode of ''Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip'', Cole sang "I Say a Little Prayer" at a benefit dinner. She sang the national anthem with the Atlanta University Center Chorus at Super Bowl XXVIII. In 2013, she was a guest on Tina Sinatra's Father's Day Special on Sirius Radio. The program included [[Deana Martin]], [[Monica Mancini]], and Daisy Torme reminiscing about their famous fathers.

On February 13, 2012, Cole was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 4 Episode 3. The episode showed DiDa Ritz and The Princess lip synching to Cole's song, "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)". DiDa Ritz looked to actually be singing the song to Cole directly. Cole herself was so impressed she can be seen cheering and chiming in during the performance.

==Personal life==
[[File:NatalieColeHWOFMay2013.jpg|thumb|Cole in 2013]]
Cole was married three times. She married [[Marvin Yancy]], songwriter, producer, and former member of the 1970s R&B group [[The Independents (vocal group)|The Independents]] in July 1976 in [[Chicago]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E78DAAAAMBAJ&dq=natalie+cole+wedding&pg=PA23|title=Natalie And Her Mr Melody Talk About Their Future|work=Jet|date=March 17, 1977|access-date=January 16, 2024|publisher=Johnson Publishing Company}}</ref> She had a son, Robert Adam "Robbie" Yancy (October 14, 1977 – August 14, 2017). He was a musician who toured with her.<ref name="Hollywood Life">{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodlife.com/2017/08/15/natalie-cole-son-dead-robert-yancy-dies-heart-attack/|title=Robert Yancy Dead: Natalie Cole's Son Tragically Dies Of Heart Attack At 39|publisher=Hollywood Life|date=August 15, 2017}}</ref>

Marvin was her producer, and an ordained [[Baptist]] minister who helped reintroduce her to religion. Under his influence, Cole changed from a lapsed [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopalian]] to become a devout Baptist. Cole and Yancy divorced in 1980. Yancy died of a heart attack in 1985, aged 34.<ref name="Hollywood Life"/>

In 1989, Cole married record producer and former drummer for the band [[Rufus (band)|Rufus]], Andre Fischer. They divorced in 1995. In 2001, Cole married Bishop Kenneth Dupree. They divorced in 2004. In 2017, her son Robbie died of a heart attack, aged 39.<ref name="Hollywood Life"/>

Cole was active in the Afghan World Foundation cause, supporting [[Sonia Nassery Cole]] (no relation).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Late Natalie Cole |url=https://afghanistanworldfoundation.org/member/xnatalie-cole/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Afghanistan World Foundation |language=en}}</ref>

===Drug use and recovery===
In 2000, Cole released an autobiography, ''Angel on My Shoulder'', which described her battle with drugs during much of her life, including heroin and [[crack cocaine]]. At one stage of her addiction, Cole worked as a prostitute's tout in order to fund her drug habit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12078977/Natalie-Cole-singer-obituary.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/12078977/Natalie-Cole-singer-obituary.html |archive-date=January 11, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Natalie Cole, singer - obituary|website=Telegraph.co.uk|year=2016}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Cole said she began [[recreational drug use]] while attending the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://people.com/celebrity/natalie-cole-from-addiction-battles-to-chart-topping-success/ | title = From Addiction Battles to Chart-Topping Success: Natalie Cole's Bright Life in the Spotlight | last = Yagoda  | first = Maria  | date = January 1, 2016 | website = People.com | publisher = Time, Inc. | access-date = November 22, 2017 | quote = After dating a boy named Jimmy, she began singing and rehearsing with his band – and also experimenting with drugs.}}</ref> She was arrested in Toronto, Canada, for possession of heroin in 1975.<ref>{{cite news | last1 = Fink | first1 = Mitchell | last2 = Rubin | first2 = Lauren | title = Natalie Cole's secret drug peril | newspaper = New York Daily News | location = New York City, NY | language = en | date = October 16, 2000 | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/gossip/natalie-cole-secret-drug-peril-article-1.879604 | access-date = November 22, 2017}}</ref>

Cole spiraled out of control in this phase of her life. There was an incident in which she refused to leave a burning building, and another in which her young son Robert nearly drowned in the family swimming pool while she was on a drug binge.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/sep/26/women.jazz | title = The unforgettable Ms Cole  | last = O'Brien | first = Lucy | date = September 26, 2008 | website = theguardian.com | publisher = Guardian News and Media Limited | access-date = November 22, 2017 | quote = ...and her young son, Robert, nearly drowned in the family pool when she was on a drug binge. Cole hit rock bottom when she refused to leave a burning building because she needed to score.}}</ref> She entered rehab in 1983. Her autobiography was released in conjunction with a made-for-TV movie, ''Livin' for Love: The Natalie Cole Story'', which aired December 10, 2000, on [[NBC]] and re-aired October 26, 2011, on [[BET Her|Centric]] TV.

===Health and death===
Cole announced in 2008 that she had been diagnosed with [[hepatitis C]], a [[liver disease]] spread through contact with infected blood. Cole attributed having the disease to her past [[intravenous drug]] use. Cole explained in 2009 that hepatitis C had "stayed in [her] body for 25 years, and it could still happen to addicts who are fooling around with drugs, especially needles."<ref name="freep">{{cite news |last1=Cohen |first1=Sandy |last2=Fekadu |first2=Mesfin |title=Heir to Jazz Legend with Grammys of Her Own Dies |work=The Detroit Free Press |date=January 2, 2016 |page=5A}}</ref>

Four months after starting treatment for hepatitis C, Cole experienced [[kidney failure]] and required [[Kidney dialysis|dialysis]] three times a week for nine months. In May 2009, following her appeal for a [[kidney]] on ''[[The Larry King Show]]'', she was contacted by the organ procurement agency One Legacy. The facilitated donation came from a family requesting that, if there were a match, their donor's kidney be designated for Cole.<ref name="freep"/>

Cole canceled several events in December 2015 due to her illness. Her last musical performance was a short set of three songs in [[Manila]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_gkTg-a1rTDsor14aCLj3a3jCM6yIQ6P|title=Natalie Cole 2015 Manila [DOLBY] |via=YouTube |access-date=November 10, 2017}}</ref> She died at [[Cedars-Sinai Medical Center]] in Los Angeles on December 31, 2015 ([[New Year's Eve]]), at the age of 65.<ref>{{cite news |last=Pareles |first=Jon |title=Natalie Cole, 'Unforgettable' Voice and Million-Selling Hitmaker, Dies at 65 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/arts/music/natalie-cole-grammy-award-winning-singer-dies-at-65.html|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 31, 2019 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 1, 2016}}</ref> Cole's publicist said the singer's death was the result of [[Heart failure|congestive heart failure]],<ref>{{cite news|url-access=subscription|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-singer-natalie-cole-dead-20160101-story.html|title=Natalie Cole has died at 65; 'Unforgettable' singer was daughter of legendary Nat King Cole|first=Josh|last=Rottenberg|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 1, 2016|access-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref> which her family said was a complication of [[idiopathic]] [[pulmonary arterial hypertension]], which she had been diagnosed with after her [[kidney transplant]] in 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://ca.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idCAKBN0UM24F20160108|first=Jill|last=Serjeant|editor-first=Andrew|editor-last=Hay |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111195133/http://ca.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idCAKBN0UM24F20160108|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2016|title=Natalie Cole's death due to rare lung disease, heart failure |work=Reuters |date=January 8, 2016}}</ref> Her family said in a statement, "Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain unforgettable in our hearts forever."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35210812 |title=Natalie Cole, R&B and jazz singer, dies aged 65 |date=January 1, 2016 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |access-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref>

Cole's funeral was held on January 11, 2016, at the [[West Angeles Church of God in Christ]] in Los Angeles. [[David Foster]], [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Smokey Robinson]], [[Lionel Richie]], [[Chaka Khan]], [[Eddie Levert]], [[Mary Wilson (singer)|Mary Wilson]], [[Gladys Knight]], [[Ledisi]], [[Jesse Jackson]], [[Angela Bassett]], [[Denise Nicholas]], [[Marla Gibbs]], [[Jackée Harry]] and [[Freda Payne]] were among the mourners at the funeral. After the funeral, she was buried at [[Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)|Forest Lawn Memorial Park]] in [[Glendale, California]]. Her grave is located in the central lawn area of the "Court of Freedom" section, Garden of Honor; there is no public access to her grave.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/natalie-cole-honored-by-family-friends-at-private-memorial/|first=Jeff |last=Nelson|date=January 11, 2016|title=Natalie Cole Honored by Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie at Memorial Service: 'I Feel So Blessed to Call You My Friend,' Smokey Robinson Says |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |access-date=February 9, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Gail |last=Mitchell|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/natalie-cole-funeral-los-angeles-6836600/|title=Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Gladys Knight & More Remember Natalie Cole at L.A. Funeral|work=Billboard.com|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=February 9, 2025}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Main|Natalie Cole discography}}

===Studio albums===
* ''[[Inseparable (album)|Inseparable]]'' (1975)
* ''[[Natalie (Natalie Cole album)|Natalie]]'' (1976)
* ''[[Unpredictable (Natalie Cole album)|Unpredictable]]'' (1977)
* ''[[Thankful (Natalie Cole album)|Thankful]]'' (1977)
* ''[[I Love You So]]'' (1979)
* ''[[Don't Look Back (Natalie Cole album)|Don't Look Back]]'' (1980)
* ''[[Happy Love]]'' (1981)
* ''[[I'm Ready (Natalie Cole album)|I'm Ready]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Dangerous (Natalie Cole album)|Dangerous]]'' (1985)
* ''[[Everlasting (Natalie Cole album)|Everlasting]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Good to Be Back]]'' (1989)
* ''[[Unforgettable... with Love]]'' (1991)
* ''[[Take a Look (Natalie Cole album)|Take a Look]]'' (1993)
* ''[[Holly & Ivy]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Stardust (Natalie Cole album)|Stardust]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Snowfall on the Sahara]]'' (1999)
* ''[[The Magic of Christmas (Natalie Cole album)|The Magic of Christmas]]'' with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] (1999)
* ''[[Ask a Woman Who Knows]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Leavin' (album)|Leavin']]'' (2006)
* ''[[Still Unforgettable]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Caroling, Caroling: Christmas with Natalie Cole]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Natalie Cole en Español]]'' (2013)

==Filmography==

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1990 || ''[[Comic Relief]]'' || Herself (performing) || HBO special
|-
| 1992 || ''A Tribute to Nat King Cole'' || Herself (performing) || BBC special
|-
| 1997 || ''[[Cats Don't Dance]]'' || Sawyer (singing voice) || Animated movie
|-
| 1998 || ''[[Always Outnumbered]]'' || Lula Brown ||
|-
| 1999 || ''Freak City'' || Eleanor Sorrell ||
|-
| 2004 || ''[[De-Lovely]]'' || Musical performer ||
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'' || Mrs. Booker || Season 2 episode: "Band-Aid Covers the Bullet Hole"
|-
| 2006 ||  ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' || Defense Attorney Serena Waldren || Season 7 episode 20: "Fat"
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip]]'' || Musical performer || Episode 14: "The Harriet Dinner" (Pt. 2)
|-
| 2011 || ''[[Real Housewives of New York City]]'' || Herself || Season 4 episode 16: "L.O.V.E."
|-
| 2012 || ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' || Herself/Judge || Season 4 episode 3: "Glamazons vs. Champions"
|-
| 2012 || ''Nat King Cole: Afraid of the Dark'' || Herself || STARS/ENCORE
|}

==Awards and honors==
===Grammy Awards===
The [[Grammy Award]]s are awarded annually by the [[National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences]]. Cole received nine awards from 21 nominations.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grammys {{!}} Natalie Cole |url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/natalie-cole/8791 |website=The Grammys}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1976}} || [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] || Natalie Cole || {{Won}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance|Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female]] ||  "[[This Will Be]]" ||{{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1977}} || [[Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance|Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female]] || ''Natalie'' || {{Nom}}
|-
| rowspan="6"| Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female || "[[Sophisticated Lady (She's a Different Lady)|Sophisticated Lady]]" || {{Won}}
|-
| {{grammy|1978}} || "[[I've Got Love on My Mind]]" || {{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|1979}} || "[[Our Love (Natalie Cole song)|Our Love]]" || {{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|1980}} || ''I Love You So'' || {{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|1988}} || ''Everlasting'' || {{Nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1990}} || ''[[Good to Be Back]]'' || {{Nom}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals|Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] ||  "We Sing Praises" <small>(with [[Deniece Williams]])</small> || {{Nom}}
|-
|rowspan="4"| {{grammy|1992}} || [[Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] || ''Unforgettable... with Love'' || {{Won}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] ||rowspan="2"| "[[Unforgettable (Nat King Cole song)|Unforgettable]]" <small>(with Nat King Cole)</small> || {{Won}}
|-
| [[Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album|Best Traditional Pop Performance]] || {{Won}}
|-
|  [[Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album|Best Jazz Vocal Performance]] ||''Long 'Bout Midnight'' || {{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|1994}} || Best Jazz Vocal Performance || ''Take a Look'' || {{Won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|1997}} || [[Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals|Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals]] || "[[When I Fall in Love]]" <small>(with Nat King Cole)</small> || {{won}}
|-
| Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance || ''Stardust'' || {{Nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|2003}} || Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals || "Better Than Anything" <small>(with [[Diana Krall]])</small> || {{Nom}}
|-
|  Best Jazz Vocal Album || ''Ask a Woman Who Knows'' ||{{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|2007}} || Best Female R&B Vocal Performance || "[[Day Dreaming (Aretha Franklin song)|Day Dreaming]]" || {{Nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|2009}} || Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album || ''Still Unforgettable'' || {{Won}}
|}

'''Latin Grammys'''

The [[Latin Grammy Award]]s are awarded annually by the [[Latin Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences]].

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
!  {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|rowspan="3"| {{LatinGrammy|2013}} || [[Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]] || "Bachata Rosa" <small>(with [[Juan Luis Guerra]])</small> || {{Nom}} ||rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-latin-grammys-2013-nominees-winners-list-story.html|title=Latin Grammys 2013: The complete list of winners and nominees|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=January 7, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| [[Latin Grammy Award for Album of the Year|Album of the Year]] || rowspan="2"| ''[[Natalie Cole en Español]]'' ||{{Nom}}
|-
| [[Latin Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album|Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album]] || {{Nom}}
|}

===Other awards===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Year
! Association
! Category
! Result
! class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| 1977
| rowspan="3"| [[American Music Award]]s
| rowspan="2"| [[American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist#1970s|Favorite Female Artist – Soul / Rhythm & Blues]]
| {{Won}}
|
|-
| 1978
| {{won}}
|
|-
| 1991
| [[American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist|Favorite Artist – Adult Contemporary]]
| {{Won}}
|
|-
| 1992
| [[NAACP Image Awards]]
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist|Best Jazz Artist]]
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-01-16/features/9201050177_1_key-of-life-award-outstanding-film-outstanding-comedy-series |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817110024/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1992-01-16/features/9201050177_1_key-of-life-award-outstanding-film-outstanding-comedy-series |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 17, 2016 |title=1992 Image Awards |last=Vaughn |first=Christopher |website=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=January 16, 1992 |access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref><br /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0907880.html |title=2003 Image Award Winners|website=Infoplease.com |access-date=May 14, 2016}}</ref>
|-
| 1993
| [[UCLA Spring Sing The George and Ira Gershwin Award|George & Ira Gershwin Award]]
| Lifetime Musical Achievement
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uclalumni.net/calendarevents/springsing/Gershwin/home.cfm |title=cog |website=Uclalumni.net |access-date=May 5, 2017 |archive-date=February 14, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070214111943/http://www.uclalumni.net/calendarevents/springsing/Gershwin/home.cfm |url-status=usurped }}</ref>
|-
| 1999
| [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]]
| [[Songwriters Hall of Fame#Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award|Hitmaker Award]]
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.songwritershalloffame.org/ceremony/awards/C3004|title=Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award|access-date=June 14, 2015|publisher=The Songwriters Hall of Fame|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080518081135/http://songwritershalloffame.org/ceremony/awards/C3004|archive-date=May 18, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2000
| rowspan="3"| NAACP Image Awards
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special|Outstanding Actress – Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special]]: <br />''Livin for Love: The Natalie Cole Story''
| {{Won}}
| 
|-
| 2001
| [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Album|Outstanding Album]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| 2003
| Best Jazz Artist
| {{won}}
|-
| 2010
| [[Society of Singers]]
| [[Society of Singers]] Lifetime Achievement Award
| {{Won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.singers.org/special-events/|title=Ella Award Special Events|date=February 12, 2011|access-date=May 10, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150514064028/http://www.singers.org/special-events/|archive-date=May 14, 2015}}</ref> 
|-
| 2014
| NAACP Image Awards
| Outstanding World Music Album: ''Natalie Cole en Español''
| {{won}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/45th-naacp-image-award-winners|title=45th NAACP Image Award Winners |website=Naacp.org|access-date=October 15, 2019}}</ref>
|-
| 2021
| [[National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame|National R&B Hall of Fame]]
| Herself
| {{won|place=Inducted}}
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://grammymuseum.org/exhibit/75-years-of-natalie-cole/|title=75 Years of Natalie Cole|website=Grammymuseum.org|access-date=June 23, 2025}}</ref>
|}

==See also==
*[[List of Billboard number-one dance hits]]
*[[List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p3938}}
* {{IMDb name|0004831}}
* {{find a Grave|156602514}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* [http://www.soultracks.com/natalie_cole.htm Natalie Cole biography and updates at Soul Tracks]
* [http://www.bluesandsoul.com/feature/336/natalie_cole_star_bright/ Natalie Cole interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' September 2008]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180925170722/http://www.theadamsreport.com/radio/natalie-cole.html Talk with Audrey interview with Natalie Cole 2012. Talking about her life, her music and her legacy.]

{{Natalie Cole|state=collapsed}}
{{Nat King Cole}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Natalie Cole
|list =
{{American Music Award for Favorite Adult Contemporary Artist}}
{{American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist}}
{{Grammy Award for Album of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Record of the Year}}
{{Grammy Award for Best New Artist}}
{{MusiCares Person of the Year}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Music Video}}
}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|California|Los Angeles|Music|Film|Television}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cole, Natalie}}
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