Who Is Fats Waller? Age, Biography and Wiki
Fats Waller was born on May 21, 1904, in New York City, USA, making him 121 years old in 2025. Waller was a legendary jazz pianist and composer renowned for his extraordinary talent in blending stride piano with his unique style that influenced countless musicians. His life was characterized by an impressive body of work, including classics like "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose". Waller's contributions to jazz music have left an enduring legacy, enriching the genre and inspiring future generations.
| Occupation | Jazz Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 21, 1904 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 15 December, 1943 |
| Died Place | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
Popularity
Fats Waller's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Fats Waller was known for his charming personality and captivating stage presence. Although detailed records of his height and weight are not definitively documented, reports suggest his height was around 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). His larger-than-life persona and vivacious performances were perhaps far more memorable than specific physical statistics.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Fats Waller was married to his wife, Anna Zilla Waller, from 1925 until his death in 1943. The couple had five children together. Despite his fame and success, Waller's life also faced challenges, including being a dedicated family man while navigating the complexities of the music industry. Waller’s personal life remained mostly private, but his role as a father and husband was significant to him.
Waller was the seventh child of 11 (five of whom survived childhood) born to Adeline Locket Waller, a musician, and Reverend Edward Martin Waller, a trucker and pastor in New York City. He started playing the piano when he was six and began playing the organ at his father's church four years later.
His mother instructed him in his youth, and he attended other music lessons, paying for them by working in a grocery store. Waller attended DeWitt Clinton High School for one semester, but left school at 15 to work as an organist at the Lincoln Theater in Harlem, where he earned $32 a week. Within 12 months he had composed his first rag.
He was the prize pupil and later the friend and colleague of the stride pianist James P. Johnson. Waller also studied composition at the Juilliard School with Carl Bohm and Leopold Godowsky. His mother died on November 10, 1920, from a stroke due to diabetes.
Net Worth and Salary
Fats Waller's net worth at the time of his passing in 1943 was estimated to be around $1 million. By 2025, this figure has greatly appreciated, with a posthumous net worth estimated at approximately $10 million, gravitating largely from music royalties, reissues of his works, and contributions to film soundtracks. His music continues to generate revenue, ensuring that his legacy remains lucrative even decades after his passing.
Career, Business and Investments
Fats Waller’s career was highlighted by numerous performances in renowned venues throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He was not only an influential pianist but also an exceptional songwriter, leaving behind a remarkable catalog of music that resonates with jazz lovers worldwide. Besides his music career, Waller appeared in several films, providing his talents to the silver screen. His business ventures included the establishment of a record label dedicated to jazz, thus securing a critical place in the era's music history.
In 1926, Waller began his recording association with the Victor Talking Machine Company/RCA Victor, his principal record company for the rest of his life, with the organ solos "St.
Louis Blues" and his composition "Lenox Avenue Blues." Although he recorded with several groups, including Morris's Hot Babes (1927), Fats Waller's Buddies (1929) (one of the earliest multiracial groups to record), and McKinney's Cotton Pickers (1929), his most important contribution to the Harlem stride piano tradition was a series of solo recordi
ngs of his compositions: "Handful of Keys", "Smashing Thirds", "Numb Fumblin, and "Valentine Stomp" (1929).
After sessions with Ted Lewis (1931), Jack Teagarden (1931), and Billy Banks' Rhythmakers (1932), he began in May 1934 the voluminous series of recordings with a small band known as Fats Waller and his Rhythm.
This six-piece group usually included Herman Autrey (sometimes replaced by Bill Coleman or John "Bugs" Hamilton), Gene Sedric or Rudy Powell, and Al Casey.
Social Network
While Fats Waller did not have social media profiles as we know them today, his music and persona have garnered millions of fans worldwide. In contemporary settings, homage to Waller continues through numerous music societies and jazz festivals dedicated to preserving his legacy. His works are celebrated widely on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and SoundCloud, where fans can relive his classic hits.
* The story of Fats Waller's performance at Al Capone's birthday party was told in the Mysteries at the Museum Season 21 episode "Columbus and the Mermaid, Skyscraper Snafu and Stealing the Show".
Education
Fats Waller was largely self-taught in the art of music, though he also received early training at the home of a family friend, who introduced him to classical music. His understanding of music theory and composition came from his early exposure to music within the vibrant African American community of Harlem. This foundational knowledge, combined with his natural talent, paved the way for his illustrious career in jazz.
