Who Is Billie Holiday? Age, Biography and Wiki
Billie Holiday was born on April 7, 1915, and became one of the most influential American jazz singers of the 20th century. Known for her emotive voice and unique phrasing, she left an indelible mark on the music industry until her untimely death in 1959. Despite her struggles with addiction and adversity, her music and legacy continue to inspire new generations. In 2025, Billie Holiday remains a symbol of resilience and artistic excellence, capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.
| Occupation | Blues Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 7, 1915 |
| Age | 44 Years |
| Birth Place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 17 July, 1959 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Billie Holiday's Popularity over time
Body Measurements
- Height: 5'5" (165 cm)
- Weight: Varies throughout her life
- Shoe Size: Approximately 8 (US)
The loss of her cabaret card reduced Holiday's earnings. She had not received proper record royalties until she joined Decca, so her main revenue was club concerts. The problem worsened when Holiday's records went out of print in the 1950s. She seldom received royalties in her later years. In 1958, she received a royalty of only $11.
Her lawyer in the late 1950s, Earle Warren Zaidins, registered with BMI only two songs she had written or co-written, costing her revenue.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout her tumultuous life, Billie Holiday experienced various relationships. She had notable romances with several artists and musicians, including a significant relationship with tenor saxophonist Lester Young. However, her health issues and personal struggles often affected her dating life.
As of 2025, Billie Holiday remains a celebrated figure in the world of music. While she didn't have a traditional family in the sense of a partner and children, her music can be seen as the legacy she left behind—a family of songs that continue to resonate with fans.
Her mother moved to Philadelphia at age 19, after being evicted from her parents' home in the Sandtown-Winchester neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland, for becoming pregnant. With no support from her parents, Sarah made arrangements with her older, married half-sister, Eva Miller, for Holiday to stay with her in Baltimore.
Net Worth and Salary
Although Billie Holiday's career faced many challenges, she managed to achieve considerable fame during her lifetime. In today’s context, her estate is valued at millions, reflecting the continual popularity of her music through royalties and posthumous releases. As of 2025, estimates place her net worth at approximately $10 million, a substantial figure considering the time since her passing.
By February 1938, Holiday was no longer singing for Basie. Various reasons have been given for why she was fired. Jimmy Rushing, Basie's male vocalist, called her unprofessional. According to All Music Guide, Holiday was fired for being "temperamental and unreliable".
She complained of low pay and poor working conditions and may have refused to sing the songs requested of her or change her style. Holiday was hired by Artie Shaw a month after being fired from the Count Basie Band. This association placed her among the first black women to work with a white orchestra, an unusual arrangement at that time.
This was also the first time a black female singer employed full-time toured the segregated U.S. South with a white bandleader. When Holiday faced racism, Shaw would often stick up for his vocalist.
In her autobiography, Holiday describes an incident in which she was not permitted to sit on the bandstand with other vocalists because of racist policies. Shaw said to her, "I want you on the band stand like Helen Forrest, Tony Pastor and everyone else." When touring the South, Holiday would sometimes be heckled by members of the audience.
In Louisville, Kentucky, a man called her a "nigger wench" and requested she sing another song. Holiday lost her temper and had to be escorted off the stage.
Career, Business and Investments
Billie Holiday's career began in the late 1930s. She gained fame with hits like "God Bless the Child," "Strange Fruit," and "Lover Man." Throughout her career, she worked with several prominent musicians and recorded numerous iconic albums.
Posthumously, Holiday's brand has been expanded with various tributes, remixes, and adaptations of her work. Her music remains a staple in jazz playlists, and the continued interest in her life story has led to autobiographies, films, and new generations discovering her artistry.
Billie Holiday (born Eleanora Fagan; April 7, 1915 – July 17, 1959) was an American jazz and swing music singer. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and music partner, Lester Young, Holiday made significant contributions to jazz music and pop singing.
Her vocal style, strongly influenced by jazz instrumentalists, inspired a new way of manipulating phrasing and tempo. Holiday was known for her vocal delivery and improvisational skills.
Social Network
Billie Holiday's impact on music continues to be celebrated across various platforms, even decades after her death. As of 2025, her legacy thrives on social media through fan pages, tributes, and discussions about her influence in jazz and beyond. The use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook keeps her memory alive, allowing new audiences to experience her work.
Some official accounts and fan pages sharing her music and life story may include:
In 1935, Holiday was signed to Brunswick by John Hammond to record pop tunes with pianist Teddy Wilson in the swing style for the growing jukebox trade. They were allowed to improvise on the material. Holiday's improvisation of melody to fit the emotion was highly skillful.
Their first collaboration included "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" and "Miss Brown to You". "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" has been deemed her "claim to fame". Brunswick did not favor the recording session because producers wanted Holiday to sound more like Cleo Brown.
However, after "What a Little Moonlight Can Do" was successful, the company began considering Holiday an artist in her own right. She began recording under her own name a year later for Vocalion in sessions produced by Hammond and Bernie Hanighen. Hammond said the Wilson-Holiday records from 1935 to 1938 were a great asset to Brunswick.
According to Hammond, Brunswick was broke and unable to record many jazz tunes. Wilson, Holiday, Young, and other musicians came into the studio without written arrangements, reducing the recording cost. Brunswick paid Holiday a flat fee rather than royalties, which saved the company money.
"I Cried for You" sold 15,000 copies, which Hammond called "a giant hit for Brunswick.... Most records that made money sold around three to four thousand."
Education
Billie Holiday's education was informal but deeply rooted in her experiences with music from a young age. She did not attend prestigious music schools; instead, she learned through listening to other musicians and performing in clubs across America. Her early exposure to jazz and blues, coupled with her natural talent, shaped her unique style that set her apart in the music world.
By 1947, Holiday was at her commercial peak, having made $250,000 in the three previous years. She was ranked second in the DownBeat poll for 1946 and 1947, her highest ranking in that poll. She was ranked fifth in Billboard's annual college poll of "girl singers" on July 6, 1947 (Jo Stafford was first). In 1946, Holiday won the Metronome magazine popularity poll.
