Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan on April 7, 1915, was an influential African-American jazz singer whose emotive voice and unique phrasing left a lasting impact on music history. She endured a difficult childhood, growing up in poverty and sharing various odd jobs with her mother, including a period of employment in a brothel. At age 9, she was charged with truancy and sent to a juvenile facility; by age 11, she had left school entirely.
Holiday was drawn to music at a young age. She found inspiration from jazz legends such as Louis Armstrong and Bessie Smith, which fueled her passion to perform. As a teenager, she began singing in Harlem nightclubs under the stage name Billie Holiday—a tribute to silent film star Billie Dove and her father, jazz guitarist Clarence Holiday (also spelled Halliday).
Billie Holiday’s jazz career spanned more than three decades, during which she earned the nickname "Lady Day" from saxophonist Lester Young. Known for her emotionally charged and distinctive vocal style, Holiday stood out in the jazz and swing scenes of the 1930s and 1940s. She recorded numerous iconic songs, including “Strange Fruit,” “God Bless the Child,” and “Lover Man.”
She released twelve studio LPs throughout her career across four different record labels. Holiday's contributions to jazz music were widely recognized both during her lifetime and posthumously. She was known not only for her musical talent but also for breaking barriers in a segregated America.
In 1956, Holiday published her autobiography titled Lady Sings the Blues, co-written with William Dufty. The book candidly explored her struggles with addiction, racism, and personal relationships, offering a rare and deeply personal look into the life of a Black female artist navigating an often-hostile industry.
A biographical film, also titled Lady Sings the Blues, was released in 1972, featuring singer Diana Ross in the role of Holiday. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning multiple Academy Award nominations and winning a Golden Globe for Ross’s performance.
| Birth Date: | 7 Apr, 1915 |
| Age: | 105 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Philadelphia |
| residence: | Harlem Baltimore New York City |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American jazz singer and songwriter |
| Spouse: | Joe Guy[1951-1957] |
| Net Worth 2020: | 1 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 1 million |
