Natalie Cole was more than just the daughter of a legend—she was a star in her own right. Throughout her four-decade career, she moved from gritty soul to polished pop and classic jazz with grace and depth, building a musical identity all her own.
With Grammy wins, platinum records, and a legacy of reinvention, Natalie Cole proved time and again that talent runs deep—but hard work and resilience run even deeper.
| Artist | Natalie Cole |
|---|---|
| Born | February 6, 1950 |
| Died | December 31, 2015 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genres | Soul, R&B, Pop, Jazz |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano |
| Years Active | 1975–2015 |
| Notable Albums | Inseparable (1975), Unpredictable (1977), Everlasting (1987), Unforgettable… With Love (1991), Stardust (1996), Still Unforgettable (2008) |
| Biggest Hits | This Will Be, I’ve Got Love on My Mind, Our Love, Pink Cadillac, Miss You Like Crazy, Unforgettable (duet) |
| Awards | Multiple Grammy Awards, American Music Awards |
Early Life: Born into Music
Natalie Maria Cole was born on February 6, 1950, in Los Angeles, California, to one of the most iconic voices in American music: Nat King Cole. Her family became the first African-American residents of Hancock Park, a wealthy and predominantly white neighborhood. They were sometimes dubbed “the Black Kennedys.”
Natalie’s exposure to music came early. She began performing at age six, sang on her father’s Christmas album, and made her stage debut at 11. The death of her father in 1965, when she was just 15, marked a turning point in her life.
Breaking Out on Her Own
In the early 1970s, Natalie was discovered by producers Chuck Jackson and Marvin Yancy, the latter of whom she later married. They recorded demos and sent them to various labels—Capitol Records, her father’s former label, saw her potential and signed her.
Her debut album, Inseparable (1975), was a sensation. The lead single “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the R&B chart. The album went gold, and Natalie won two Grammy Awards—including Best New Artist.
A String of Soul Hits
Natalie continued her rise with a series of successful soul albums:
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Natalie (1976): Featured “Sophisticated Lady (She’s a Different Lady)”
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Unpredictable (1977): Produced the hit “I’ve Got Love on My Mind” (#5 Hot 100, #1 R&B), and became her first platinum album
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Thankful (1977): Brought the classic “Our Love” (#10 pop, #1 R&B) and “Annie Mae”
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I Love You So (1979): Another gold record, capping her 1970s soul success
Her partnership with Jackson and Yancy defined her early sound—soulful, bold, and confident.
Personal Struggles and Musical Comeback
Though Cole’s voice continued to shine, she faced serious personal battles. By the early 1980s, she struggled with heroin and cocaine addiction, which began affecting her career and chart performance.
She entered rehab in 1983 and emerged ready for a new chapter.
Cole’s comeback began with the albums:
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Dangerous (1985)
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Everlasting (1987): Yielded multiple hits:
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“Jump Start” (#13 pop, #2 R&B)
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“I Live for Your Love” (#13 pop, #4 R&B)
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“Pink Cadillac” (#5 pop, #1 dance)
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Her 1989 album, Good to Be Back, featured the ballad “Miss You Like Crazy”—a crossover hit that reached #1 on both the R&B and Adult Contemporary charts, and #7 on the Hot 100.
Channeling Her Father’s Legacy
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In 1991, Natalie Cole made a bold and emotional move—she revisited her father’s songbook with the album Unforgettable… With Love. The album featured jazz and pop standards, with Natalie singing alongside her late father’s vocals in the stunning “Unforgettable” duet.
The project was a massive success:
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#1 on the Billboard 200
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Over 7 million copies sold in the U.S.
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Grammy wins for Record of the Year and Album of the Year
Natalie had reinvented herself again—this time as a torch singer of classic American pop.
A Turn Toward Jazz and Standards
Building on the success of Unforgettable, Cole explored jazz and traditional pop:
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Take a Look (1993): Grammy Award winner
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Holly & Ivy (1994): Holiday album
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Stardust (1996): Platinum-certified, featuring duets with Nat King Cole and others
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The Magic of Christmas (1999): With the London Symphony Orchestra
She remained relevant while honoring the music her father loved.
Later Career and Final Albums
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In 2008, she released Still Unforgettable, a return to Great American Songbook classics. It debuted at #19 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the R&B chart, showing her enduring appeal.
Her final studio album, Natalie Cole en Español (2013), was a tribute to Latin music and her father’s Spanish recordings. It featured collaborations with Juan Luis Guerra, Andrea Bocelli, and others.
Acting and Other Work
Cole also dabbled in acting. She appeared on TV shows like:
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Law & Order: SVU
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Grey’s Anatomy
She also had a role in De-Lovely (2004), a biopic of Cole Porter, and published her memoir Angel on My Shoulder in 2000.
Death and Legacy
In 2009, Cole underwent a kidney transplant due to complications from hepatitis C, a result of past drug use. She continued performing but struggled with health problems in her final years.
Natalie Cole passed away on December 31, 2015, from idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. She was 65 years old. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
Why Natalie Cole’s Music Still Matters
Natalie Cole’s journey was one of resilience, reinvention, and excellence. From gritty soul to polished pop to sophisticated jazz, she conquered every genre she touched. She carried her father’s legacy forward while crafting a unique voice that inspired generations.
Whether through her early R&B hits or her timeless duet on “Unforgettable,” Natalie Cole’s music continues to live on.