Stephanie Natalie Marie Cole (February 6, 1950 – December 31, 2015), known professionally as Natalie Cole, was an American singer and songwriter whose work encompassed soul, R&B, pop and interpretations of the Great American Songbook. Born into a prominent musical family, she emerged in the 1970s with expressive, soulful recordings and later reached renewed critical acclaim for her recordings of classic standards. For an overview of her life and career see a detailed biography.

Early life and musical roots

Cole was the daughter of jazz vocalist Nat King Cole and Maria Cole, and the niece of pianist and singer Freddy Cole. Raised in a household where jazz and popular song were central, she absorbed a wide range of influences. Her early professional work drew on church and soul traditions as well as contemporary pop production, establishing her as a versatile vocalist capable of both spirited uptempo material and sensitive balladry. Her recorded output and releases are catalogued in a full discography.

Commercial success and repertoire

In the mid to late 1970s Cole scored commercial hits and became known for her warm tone and rhythmic phrasing. Singles from this era and later decades showed an artist able to move between R&B grooves and mainstream pop. In the early 1990s she surprised many listeners with a project that paid tribute to her father: a collection of standards that included a recorded duet with his voice, pairing contemporary studio techniques with classic material. That project helped reframe her career and introduced these songs to new audiences.

Personal struggles and recovery

Cole publicly discussed challenges she faced, including a period of substance dependence that affected her health and career. She spoke openly about recovery and rebuilding her life, and later health events were widely reported, including a serious liver condition and a transplant in the late 2000s. Contemporary profiles and interviews document this period of her life and the steps she took toward recovery; see an account here.

Awards, appearances and collaborations

During her career Cole received multiple industry awards and critical recognition for both her pop and jazz-oriented recordings. She appeared frequently on television, collaborated with musicians across genres, and performed in concert internationally. Her willingness to move between contemporary material and traditional standards made her a frequent presence on variety and music programs; for selected media appearances consult an archival overview and collections of televised performances here.

Legacy and death

Cole is remembered for a rich, adaptable voice, a capacity for emotional phrasing, and for extending a family musical legacy into later generations of listeners. Reviewers and historians note her role in bringing classic songs to new audiences while maintaining a connection to soul and pop. Natalie Cole died in Los Angeles on December 31, 2015; reports at the time stated the cause as congestive heart failure related to heart disease and complications experienced in California.

Quick facts

  • Born Stephanie Natalie Marie Cole; professional name Natalie Cole.
  • Born February 6, 1950; died December 31, 2015, in Los Angeles.
  • Early success in R&B and soul during the 1970s; later pop crossover and acclaimed recordings of standards in the 1990s.
  • Publicly documented struggles with substance dependence and later serious health issues, including a transplant.
  • Recipient of multiple industry awards and remembered for a wide stylistic range.