Who Is Harry Nilsson? Age, Biography and Wiki
Harry Nilsson was born on June 15, 1941, and passed away in 1994. If he were still alive in 2025, he would be 83 years old. Known for his impressive vocal range and unique style, Nilsson gained fame in the 1970s with hits like “Without You” and “Everybody’s Talkin’.” He was not only a talented singer but also a prolific songwriter, who worked with various artists and contributed significantly to popular music.
| Occupation | Computer Programmer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1941 |
| Age | 52 Years |
| Birth Place | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 15 January, 1994 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Harry Nilsson's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Harry Nilsson’s height was approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm), with an estimated weight of around 160 pounds (72 kg) during his prime. While specific body measurements are not well-documented, he was known for his charismatic presence on stage and often captivated audiences with his performances.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Throughout his life, Harry Nilsson maintained a low-profile personal life. He was married three times and had several children. His relationships were often characterized by deep emotional connections, which influenced his songwriting. As of 2025, any update on family or relationship status in light of current events is purely speculative, given his passing in 1994.
His mother, Elizabeth ( Martin) Nilsson, was known as "Bette" to the family. Bette had a brother, John, and a sister, Mary. Her parents were the cornerstones of her son's young life.
While his maternal grandmother played piano, his maternal grandfather, Charlie Martin, supported the family in a tiny railroad apartment on Jefferson Avenue in Brooklyn. His father, Harry Edward Nilsson Jr., abandoned the family when Nilsson was three years old. An autobiographical reference to this is found in the opening to Nilsson's song "1941":
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Harry Nilsson's net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, owing to his successful career in music and songwriting. Assuming a steady rise in the value of his music catalog and potential posthumous releases, his net worth may have appreciated posthumously. However, exact figures for 2025 cannot be determined.
To make matters worse, at a late night party and jam session during the recording of the album, attended by Lennon, McCartney, Danny Kortchmar, and other musicians, Nilsson ruptured a vocal cord, but he hid the injury for fear that Lennon would call a halt to the production. The resulting album was Pussy Cats.
In an effort to clean up, Lennon, Nilsson and Ringo Starr first rented a house together, then Lennon and Nilsson left for New York. After the relative failure of his latest two albums, RCA Records considered dropping Nilsson's contract.
In a show of friendship, Lennon accompanied Nilsson to negotiations, and both intimated to RCA that Lennon and Starr might want to sign with them, once their Apple Records contracts with EMI expired in 1975, but would not be interested if Nilsson were no longer with the label.
RCA took the hint and re-signed Nilsson (adding a bonus clause, to apply to each new album completed), but neither Lennon nor Starr signed with RCA.
Career, Business and Investments
Harry Nilsson first gained recognition as a songwriter before achieving fame as a recording artist. Over his career, he released several critically acclaimed albums that have become classics in the rock and pop genres. Notable works include "Nilsson Schmilsson" and "Aerial Ballet." Beyond music, Nilsson explored ventures in film and theater, including writing songs for various movies and collaborating with notable artists in the industry.
During a 1968 press conference, the Beatles were asked what their favorite American group was and answered "Nilsson". Sometimes called "the American Beatle", he soon formed close friendships with John Lennon and Ringo Starr.
In the 1970s, Nilsson and Lennon were members of the Hollywood Vampires drinking club, embroiling themselves in a number of widely publicized, alcohol-fueled incidents. He and Lennon produced one collaborative album, Pussy Cats (1974). After 1977, Nilsson left RCA, and his record output diminished.
In response to Lennon's 1980 murder, he took a hiatus from the music industry to campaign for gun control. For the rest of his life, he recorded only sporadically. In 1994, Nilsson died of a heart attack while in the midst of recording what became his last album, Losst and Founnd (2019).
Social Network
Though Harry Nilsson primarily engaged with his audience through musical performances and recordings, his influence continues to be felt across social media platforms. Fans often celebrate his legacy on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook by sharing memories, music, and discussions about his work. These platforms serve as a testament to his lasting impact on the music industry, keeping his spirit alive among new generations of fans.
Born in Brooklyn, Nilsson moved to Los Angeles as a teenager to escape his family's poor financial situation. While working as a computer programmer at a bank, he grew interested in musical composition and close-harmony singing and was successful in having some of his songs recorded by various artists, such as the Monkees.
In 1967, he debuted on RCA Victor with the LP Pandemonium Shadow Show, followed by a variety of releases that included a collaboration with Randy Newman (Nilsson Sings Newman, 1970) and the original children's story The Point! (1971).
Education
Harry Nilsson's formal education is not extensively documented, but like many artists of his time, he honed his craft through experience rather than traditional schooling. His musical innovations and contributions to songwriting suggest a deep understanding of music theory and a unique artistic vision that he developed throughout his life.
