Who Is Buffy Sainte-Marie? Age, Biography and Wiki
Buffy Sainte-Marie, born on February 20, 1941, in Piapot Cree First Nation, Saskatchewan, Canada, is celebrated as an iconic American musician, composer, and visual artist. A prominent figure in both the Indigenous and music communities, she has used her art to advocate for social justice, amplify Indigenous voices, and inspire generations. As of 2025, Buffy Sainte-Marie is 84 years old and continues to influence the musical landscape with her powerful voice and poignant lyrics.
| Occupation | Songwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 20, 1941 |
| Age | 84 Years |
| Birth Place | Stoneham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Buffy Sainte-Marie's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Buffy Sainte-Marie is known for her vibrant personality and stage presence. As of 2025, her height is approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm), with a weight that fluctuates around 130 pounds (59 kg). While specific body measurements aren't widely publicized, Buffy is recognized for her natural and graceful demeanor that reflects her strength and resilience.
In 2000, Sainte-Marie gave the commencement address at Haskell Indian Nations University. In 2002 she sang at the Kennedy Space Center for Commander John Herrington, USN, a Chickasaw and the first Native American astronaut. In 2003 she became a spokesperson for the UNESCO Associated Schools Project Network in Canada.
In 2002, a track written and performed by Sainte-Marie, titled "Lazarus", was sampled by Hip Hop producer Kanye West and performed by Cam'Ron and Jim Jones of The Diplomats. The track is called "Dead or Alive". In June 2007, she made a rare U.S. appearance at the Clearwater Festival in Croton-on-Hudson, New York.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Buffy Sainte-Marie was previously married to fellow musician and activist Dewain McGowan, but the couple eventually divorced. Throughout her life, she has often maintained a level of privacy regarding her personal relationships. In 2025, she is reportedly single and focused on her career and advocacy work rather than dating. Buffy's family background, rooted in Indigenous heritage, remains a focal point of her identity and artistry, often reflected in her music and public engagements.
The Santamarias were an American couple from Wakefield, Massachusetts. Her father's parents were born in Italy while her mother was of English ancestry. Her family changed their surname from Santamaria to the more French-sounding "Sainte-Marie" due to anti-Italian sentiment following the Second World War.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Buffy Sainte-Marie's net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through her successful music career, including album sales, live performances, and various artistic endeavors. In addition to her music career, Buffy has engaged in numerous philanthropic activities, enhancing her profile and earning potential.
Career, Business and Investments
Buffy Sainte-Marie's career spans over six decades, showcasing her multifaceted talents as a musician, songwriter, and artist. Known for hits like "Universal Soldier" and "Until It's Time for You to Go," she has released multiple albums that resonate with themes of love, peace, and Indigenous rights. Beyond her music, Buffy has also made significant contributions as an educator and speaker, influencing countless individuals with her messages of empowerment.
In addition to her musical works, Buffy has been involved in various business ventures and investments, including collaborations with educational platforms to promote Indigenous culture and awareness. Her commitment to social causes has led to numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Original Song and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indigenous Music Awards.
Sainte-Marie began using Apple II and Macintosh computers as early as 1981 to record her music and later some of her visual art. The song "Up Where We Belong" (which Sainte-Marie co-wrote with lyricist Will Jennings and musician Jack Nitzsche) was performed by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes for the film An Officer and a Gentleman.
It received the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1982. On January 29, 1983, Jennings, Nitzsche, and Sainte-Marie won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song. They also won the BAFTA film award for Best Original Song in 1984.
On the Songs of the Century list compiled by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2001, the song was listed at number 323. In 2020, it was included on Billboard magazine's list of the "25 Greatest Love Song Duets". In the early 1980s, one of her songs was used as the theme song for the CBC's Native series Spirit Bay.
She was cast for the TNT 1993 telefilm The Broken Chain. In 1989, she wrote and performed the music for Where the Spirit Lives, a film about Native children being abducted, forced into residential schools, and expected to give up their Native way of life.
Social Network
Buffy Sainte-Marie actively connects with fans and advocates for social justice through her social media platforms. She maintains an official presence on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where she shares insights into her music, upcoming events, and advocacy work. Buffy's online engagement provides a platform for dialogue about Indigenous rights and cultural appreciation, solidifying her role as a leading voice in these critical discussions.
In 2023, Buffy Sainte-Marie's false claims to an Indigenous identity were revealed by The Fifth Estate. Since then, there have been calls to rescind awards given to Sainte-Marie that were meant for Indigenous people. Indigenous musicians who lost to Sainte-Marie have expressed their disappointment.
Issiqut Anguk, sister of singer Kelly Fraser who lost the 2018 Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year to her, wrote that Fraser "respected Buffy so much and it hurts to hear that maybe, just maybe it would've changed Kelly's life if she won the Juno award and Buffy didn't." The Indigenous Women's Collective expressed dismay at Sainte-Mar
ie's winning a 2023 International Emmy Award for her documentary Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On and have asked the Juno Awards to revisit the 2018 category to "explore ways of righting a past wrong.
All Indigenous artists in this 2018 category should be reconsidered for this rightful honour." Tim Johnson, the former associate director of the National Museum of the American Indian says her Juno awards should be rescinded and the Indigenous musicians who lost against Sainte-Marie should be considered her victims.
Rhonda Head, an award-winning opera singer from the Opaskwayak Cree Nation says, "She won awards that were an accolade, that were meant for Indigenous musicians and that's what really hurts me the most. I would like to see that her awards be taken away forever, for her not being truthful and taking up space."
Education
Buffy Sainte-Marie pursued higher education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she studied arts education and continued to hone her musical talents. Her academic journey has equipped her with the skills to both create and collaborate effectively in various artistic realms. Buffy's dedication to education and learning extends beyond her own experience, as she has consistently encouraged her audience and community to embrace knowledge and creativity.
Sainte-Marie's singing and writing repertoire includes subjects of love, war, religion, and mysticism, and her work has often focused on issues facing Indigenous peoples of the United States and Canada. She has won recognition, awards, and honors for her music as well as her work in education and social activism.
In 1983, her co-written song "Up Where We Belong", for the film An Officer and a Gentleman, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 55th Academy Awards. The song also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song that same year.
