Who Is Kate Smith? Age, Biography and Wiki
Kate Smith was born on May 1, 1907, and passed away in 1986, making her 118 years old in 2025 if she were still alive. Renowned for her powerful contralto voice, Smith became a household name in America during the mid-20th century. Her rendition of "God Bless America" became an anthem for the nation during times of war and has left a significant mark in American music history.
Kate’s wiki page provides a comprehensive overview of her career milestones, contributions to the music industry, and her philanthropic efforts over the years.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1907 |
| Age | 79 Years |
| Birth Place | Greenville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 17 June, 1986 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Kate Smith's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Kate Smith stood at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm). While her weight fluctuated during her lifetime, she was known to have a robust physique, which complemented her powerful singing style. Her body measurements are not specifically documented but are often noted to align with her commanding stage presence.
Her musical career took a huge leap in 1930 when Columbia Records A&R executive Ted Collins took an interest as a result of her Hit the Deck performances. Collins would become her longtime manager in 50–50 partnership.
Smith had become self-conscious regarding her weight, in no small part because of the on- and off-stage mocking she received from co-star Bert Lahr.
She later credited Collins with helping her overcome her self-consciousness, writing, "Ted Collins was the first man who regarded me as a singer, and didn't even seem to notice that I was a big girl." She noted, "I'm big, and I sing, and boy, when I sing, I sing all over!"
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
In her personal life, Kate Smith was known to keep her family matters private. She married her husband, Gene L. McNulty, in 1933, and they remained together until his death in 1985. While there is limited information about her dating life before her marriage, her commitment to her husband and family remained strong throughout her life.
Her father owned the Capitol News Company, distributing newspapers and magazines in the greater D.C. area. She was the youngest of three daughters, the middle child dying in infancy. She failed to talk until she was four years old, but a year later she was singing at church social events.
By the time she was eight, she was singing for the troops at Army camps in the Washington area during World War I. Smith never had a singing lesson in her life and possessed a 'rich range' of two and a half octaves. Her earliest performances were during amateur nights at vaudeville theaters in D.C.
Net Worth and Salary
Kate Smith's net worth at the time of her passing was estimated to be around $10 million. This wealth was attributed to her successful career as a singer, actress, and television personality. Her earnings were significantly boosted by her radio and television shows, as well as her record sales, which continue to be popular even decades after her death.
Smith "stirred patriotic fervor" during World War II and contributed to the sale of over $600 million (equivalent to $ in ) of war bonds during a series of marathon broadcasts. No other show-business star came near her as revenue producer of War Bonds to finance the United States' war effort.
Career, Business and Investments
Kate Smith's career spanned several decades, beginning in the 1920s as a singer in vaudeville. Her biggest break came when she hosted her radio show, "The Kate Smith Hour," in the 1930s, which solidified her status as a cultural icon. She not only entertained audiences globally but also invested in various business ventures, including her own music publishing company.
In addition to her vocal performances, Smith was involved in numerous charitable initiatives, including work with the USO during World War II. Her contributions to American culture go beyond her music, as she played a role in promoting patriotism and communal strength during challenging times.
When Honeymoon Lane closed, Smith had difficulty finding work in New York, so she returned to Washington, D.C. where she appeared sporadically in vaudeville. Smith joined the road company of Vincent Youmans' Hit the Deck, where she won acclaim singing "Hallelujah!" as a mammy in blackface.
Back in New York City, she took the company lead in George White's Flying High, which opened at the whites only Hurtig & Seamon's New Burlesque Theater (which later became the Apollo Theater) on March 3, 1930, and ran for 122 performances. As Pansy Sparks, Smith's role was to be the butt of Bert Lahr's often cruel jibes about her girth.
She said later that she often wept with humiliation in her dressing room after the show.
Social Network
Kate Smith's legacy lives on through various platforms, although she does not have a personal presence on social media since she passed away before the digital age. However, her performances can be found across various music streaming services and platforms like YouTube. Many fan pages and tribute accounts celebrate her life and achievements, keeping her memory alive for future generations to enjoy.
Collins put Smith on radio in 1931. That year, she performed "Dream a Little Dream of Me".
Her biggest hits were "River, Stay 'Way from My Door" (1931), "The Woodpecker Song" (1940), "The White Cliffs of Dover" (1942), "Rose O'Day" (1941), "The Last Time I Saw Paris" (1940), "I Don't Want to Walk Without You" (1942), "There Goes That Song Again" (1944), "Seems Like Old Times" (1946), and "Now Is the Hour" (1947).
"Rose O'Day" sold over one million copies, her first to achieve this feat, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. Her theme song was "When the Moon Comes over the Mountain"; she had helped write the lyrics. Smith greeted her audience with "Hello, everybody!" and signed off with "Thanks for listenin'."
Education
While specific details about Kate Smith's education are scarce, she honed her musical talents from a young age. Her early exposure to music and vocal training played a vital role in her development as a professional singer. Kate's innate talent, paired with practice and performance, launched her into stardom and established her as one of America’s treasured vocalists.
In conclusion, Kate Smith remains a significant figure in American music history. With her impressive career, lasting influence, and philanthropic contributions, her legacy continues to inspire artists and fans alike in 2025 and beyond.
She did a command performance for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the White House on June 8, 1939. She received a Drake University medallion for "outstanding contributions to radio and the people". Smith was inducted posthumously into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1999. She was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
In 2010, the U.S. postal service issued a commemorative stamp featuring a duplication of artwork created for the cover of a CD titled Kate Smith: The Songbird of the South. The artwork was based on a photograph of Smith taken in the 1960s.
