Who Is Laura Branigan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Laura Branigan was born on July 3, 1952, in Brewster, New York. Though she sadly passed away on August 26, 2004, her musical legacy lives on. In 2025, she would have been 73 years old. Known for her emotive vocal style, Branigan shot to fame in the 1980s with hits like "Gloria," "Self Control," and "Power of Love." Her contributions to pop music and her ability to convey deep emotions through her songs have earned her a special place in the hearts of fans around the world.
Occupation | Stage Actress |
---|---|
Date of Birth | July 3, 1952 |
Age | 52 Years |
Birth Place | Mount Kisco, New York, U.S. |
Horoscope | Cancer |
Country | U.S |
Date of death | 26 August, 2004 |
Died Place | East Quogue, New York, U.S. |
Popularity
Laura Branigan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
During her lifetime, Laura Branigan was known for her charismatic presence and striking features. While specific measurements may not be readily available, she was approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and had a balanced physique. Her stage presence was enhanced by her expressive performances and distinctive style, embodying the spirit of 80s pop culture.
During the height of her career, Branigan also made acting appearances, first in 1981 in An American Girl in Berlin for West German television, and then after the success of "Gloria", guest appearances on American television series such as CHiPs ("Fox Trap", season 6, episode 16, in which she played Sarah, lead singer of the female rock band Cadill
ac Foxes), Automan ("Murder MTV", season 1, episode 9) and Knight Rider.
She would later appear in independent films including Mugsy's Girls (aka Delta Pi, 1985) with Oscar-winner Ruth Gordon, and the Australian film Backstage. She sang on major national television and radio campaigns for products including Dr Pepper, Coca-Cola and Chrysler, which sponsored her 1985–1986 "Hold Me" tour.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Laura Branigan kept her personal life relatively private. Reports indicate she had been in several relationships throughout her life, but she never publicly confirmed any long-term partners or a husband. Following her passing, fans and admirers continue to reminisce about her inspiring music and the emotion it conveyed, adding to her intriguing but enigmatic personal life.
In 1972, Branigan met acoustic guitarist Walker Daniels and his future wife Sharon Storm, and acoustic guitarist Chris Van Cleave, forming the folk-rock band Meadow. In 1973 the group, with bass player Bob Valdez, released their debut album The Friend Ship, featuring the singles "When You Were Young", and "Cane and Able", which featured the hook line "Throw away your cane and you are able".
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her death, Laura Branigan's estimated net worth was around $10 million. Through her successful music career, touring, and performances, she solidified her financial standing while also contributing to charities and causes she treasured. While her estate does not currently gain new earnings, her music continues to generate revenue, maintaining her legacy in the entertainment industry.
Career, Business, and Investments
Branigan's career spanned over two decades, during which she released several albums and topped charts across the globe. Starting in the late 1970s, she gained recognition with her debut album, "Branigan," which featured "Gloria," a cover of an Italian song that became a worldwide hit. Her hit singles earned her Grammy nominations and cemented her as a significant figure in pop music.
Aside from music, Branigan dabbled in acting, appearing in television shows and stage productions. She also expressed interest in charitable endeavors, supporting various causes including veterans and health organizations during her lifetime.
Her chart success began to wane as the decade closed and after her last two studio albums Laura Branigan (1990) and Over My Heart (1993) garnered little attention, she generally retired from public life for the rest of the 1990s.
She returned to performing in the early 2000s, most notably appearing as Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical Love, Janis. As she was recording new music and preparing a comeback to the music industry, she died at her home in August 2004 from a previously undiagnosed cerebral aneurysm.
Social Network
Laura Branigan may not have had direct social media accounts during her lifetime, yet her fans have preserved her legacy online through various fan pages and tribute sites. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram continue to celebrate her music with fan groups dedicated to sharing her work, career milestones, and memorable performances, ensuring her legacy thrives in the digital age.
In early 2001, Branigan's return to the stage was postponed when she broke both of her femurs in a 10-foot fall from a ladder while she was hanging wisteria outside her three-bedroom lakeside home in Westchester County, New York, resulting in physical therapy for six months.
In 2002, she performed twice as the "singing" Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway musical Love, Janis, before dropping out of the show. "I left Janis because the producers failed to file with Equity properly," she told the Sunday News in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. "I was sort of relieved.
My voice isn't anything like Janis Joplin's, and there were 19 of her songs in the show." In later years she continued to record, and dated Tommy Bayiokos, the drummer in her band. Also in 2002, her second official US hits collection, The Essentials, was released, including the long-out-of-print hit "I Found Someone".
Education
Before her illustrious career, Laura Branigan attended The High School of Performing Arts in New York City, which helped hone her talents in music and performance. She later pursued additional studies in music and theater, refining her skills that would ultimately lead to her successful career in entertainment.
Branigan was raised in Armonk, New York, and as a child attended a Catholic school in nearby Chappaqua. She attended Byram Hills High School, graduating in 1970.