In this article, we will look at the age, career, and net worth of the well-known vocalist Nat King Cole. Continue reading until the end for more information.
Who Was Nat King Cole?
Nat King Cole, born Nathaniel Adams Coles, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole’s career as a jazz and pop vocalist began in the late 1930s and lasted over three decades, during which time he achieved fame and recorded over 100 songs that were pop chart singles.
He won various honors, including a plaque on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 and a Golden Globe Award for Special Achievement. Cole won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1990, as well as the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, and was elected into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2000) and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2020) posthumously.
| Name | Nat King Cole |
| Life Span | March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965 |
| Profession | Singer |
| Nationality | American |
| Net Worth | $27 million |
| Gender | Male |
| Relationship With | Maria Hawkins |
What Was the Net Worth of Nat King Cole?
After adjusting for inflation, the net worth of American pianist and vocalist Nat King Cole was $27 million at the time of his death in 1965. Technically, Nat King Cole had a net worth of $3.5 million at the time of his demise. Unfortunately, due to inadequate estate planning, his family (including his 15-year-old daughter Natalie Cole) received only $1 million (equivalent to $7 million in today’s currency) after estate taxes and other expenses.
The musical genres of Nat King Cole included vocal jazz, swing, and traditional pop. The Nat King Cole Show made him one of the first African Americans to present a nationally televised program. Beginning with “The King Cole Trio” in 1945, he released 28 albums throughout his career.
“Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66,” “The Christmas Song,” “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” “Too Young,” and “Unforgettable” are among his most popular compositions.
Shedding Some Light on Nat King Cole’s Personal Life
Cole joined Freemasonry at the time he began his musical career. In January 1944, he was initiated into the Thomas Waller Lodge No. 49 in California. He became the Master Mason of the Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Cole met his first wife, Nadine Robinson while touring with the all-black Broadway musical “Shuffle Along.” He was 18 years old when they married. She was a driving force behind his relocation to Los Angeles and the formation of the Nat King Trio.
In 1948, their marriage terminated in divorce. He married vocalist Maria Hawkins at Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist church six days after his divorce was completed. Natalie, Carole, Nat Kelly Cole, Casey, and Timolin were the couple’s five children. Beginning in 1964, he was romantically connected with a lady called Gunilla Hutton, which caused friction with his wife. However, before his death, he ended the connection and reconnected with his wife.
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Cole had multiple incidences of bigotry during his early career. He became a life member of the NAACP’s Detroit branch. He remained an active and conspicuous member of the civil rights struggle until his death, and he marched in the 1963 March on Washington.
Nat King Cole’s Illness and Death
Cole began to lose weight and endure back issues in September 1964. He collapsed in agony after performing at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. On his left lung, a malignant tumor in an advanced stage of development was discovered after he later sought medical attention.
Before entering Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica at the beginning of December 1964, he continued to work and made his final recordings. His condition worsened, and he passed away at the age of 45 in February 1965. 400 persons attended his funeral at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, with thousands more queuing outside.