NATALIE MARIA COLE
February 6, 1950 – December 31,2015
BA Degree in Psychology
Entertainer and Actress
Cole was married three times. She married Marvin Yancy, songwriter, producer and former member of the 1970s R&B group The Independents on July 31, 1976. She had a son, Robert Adam “Robbie” Yancy (born October 14, 1977); he is now a musician who toured with her. Marvin was her producer, and an ordained Baptist minister who helped reintroduce her to religion. Under his influence, Cole changed from a lapsed Episcopalian to become a devout Baptist. Cole and Yancy got divorced in 1980 before Yancy died of a heart attack in 1985, aged 34. In 1989, Cole married record producer and former drummer for the band Rufus, Andre Fischer; they were divorced in 1995. In 2001, Cole married bishop Kenneth Dupree; they divorced in 2004.
Natalie Cole died from congestive heart failure on December 31, 2015 in Los Angeles. She was 65. Her family released a statement saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we bring to you all the news of our Mother and sister’s passing. 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.” Cole leaves behind a legacy as one of the most celebrated and iconic women in R&B. The family of Natalie Cole revealed Thursday that Ms. Natalie Cole has passed away on December 31st from heart failure brought on by idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Cole was first diagnosed with IPAH, a rare lung disease, shortly after undergoing a kidney transplant in 2009.
This is a very serious and progressive disorder,” Cole’s family said in a statement of IPAH. “[Cole] responded well to pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific agents over many years, during which she performed many concerts worldwide, but eventually succumbed to intractable right heart failure, an outcome that unfortunately commonly occurs in this progressive disorder.”
Cole died on New Years Evey she was only 65 years of age is survived by her son, Robert Adam Yancy. Her son Robert passed away shortly afterwards at the age of 39 his body was found in his Sherman Oaks apartment by a friend on Aug. 14, 2017 after being concerned there was no call or visit from him . He died of coronary heart disease ( heart attack as the autopsy report has stated. They both died from heart failure.
Natalie won 9 Grammy Awards
3 American Music Awards
2NAACP Awards
Hitmaker Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame
Society of Singers Lifetime Achievement Award from the Society of Singers
She sold over 30 million records worldwide.
As for myself being acquainted with her back in the 90’s to mid-2000s, I have always found her to be a very talent-gifted spirit so humble and giving. She was a gift to her family and she used that gift to give us a voice for generations to enjoy. God Bless You and May You Forever Natalie Cole and Robert Yancy forever Rest In Peace.