Who Is Nina Simone? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Nina Simone was born on February 21, 1933, and tragically passed away on April 21, 2003, at the age of 70. Renowned for her deep, soulful voice and powerful lyrics, Simone rose to fame during the Civil Rights Movement, using her music as a platform for social change. Her songs such as "Feeling Good," "I Put a Spell on You," and "Mississippi Goddam" resonate with audiences even today, marking her as a timeless icon.
For more detailed information, you can check her Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1933 |
| Age | 70 Years |
| Birth Place | Tryon, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 21 April, 2003 |
| Died Place | N/A |
Popularity
Nina Simone's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Nina Simone stood at a height of approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm). Her weight fluctuated throughout her life, but she was often reported to weigh around 130 pounds (59 kg) during her peak career years. Simone's striking presence and distinctive style contributed to her allure, making her not only a musical icon but also a fashion maven of her time.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Nina Simone's personal life was as complex as her music. She was married twice; her first marriage was to Andy Stroud, a former manager, from 1958 until their divorce in 1971. She later married in 1983 to a man named Scott, but their relationship was filled with challenges. Simone had one daughter, Lisa, who was born in 1962. Despite her professional achievements, her tumultuous relationships reflected the struggles she faced throughout her life.
Her father, John Divine Waymon, worked as a barber and dry-cleaner as well as an entertainer. Her mother, Mary Kate Irvin, was a Methodist preacher. Simone began playing piano at the age of three or four; the first song she learned was "God Be With You, Till We Meet Again". Demonstrating a talent with the piano, she performed at her local church.
Her concert debut, a classical recital, was given when she was 12. Simone later said that during this performance, her parents, who had taken seats in the front row, were forced to move to the back of the hall to make way for white people.
She said that she refused to play until her parents were moved back to the front, and that the incident contributed to her later involvement in the civil rights movement. Simone's music teacher helped establish a special fund to pay for her education. Subsequently, a local fund was set up to assist her continued education.
With the help of this scholarship money, she was able to attend Allen High School for Girls in Asheville, North Carolina.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of her passing, Nina Simone’s estimated net worth was around $5 million. However, her legacy has continued to generate revenue through posthumous album sales and streaming, reflecting the high demand for her impactful work. Today, Simone's estate still benefits financially from her timeless catalog, ensuring her contributions to music remain celebrated.
Simone's bearing and stage presence earned her the title "the High Priestess of Soul". She was a pianist, singer and performer, "separately, and simultaneously". As a composer and arranger, Simone moved from gospel to blues, jazz, and folk, and to numbers with European classical styling.
Besides using Bach-style counterpoint, she called upon the particular virtuosity of the 19th-century Romantic piano repertoire—Chopin, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and others. Jazz trumpeter Miles Davis spoke highly of Simone, deeply impressed by her ability to play three-part counterpoint and incorporate it into pop songs and improvisation.
Onstage, she incorporated monologues and dialogues with the audience into the program, and often used silence as a musical element. Throughout most of her life and recording career she was accompanied by percussionist Leopoldo Fleming and guitarist and musical director Al Schackman.
She was known to pay close attention to the design and acoustics of each venue, tailoring her performances to individual venues. Rolling Stone once said that Simone could "channel every facet of lived experience." Simone was often credited for her ability to express an expansive emotional range in her music, from immeasurable rage to limitless joy.
Career, Business, and Investments
Nina Simone began her career as a classical pianist, only to pivot to jazz and blues, becoming a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Throughout her career, she released over 40 albums and composed numerous songs that remain relevant. Beyond music, Simone was an advocate for civil rights and often performed at rallies, showcasing her commitment to social issues.
In addition to her musical endeavors, Simone also explored acting and was involved in various artistic projects throughout her life. Posthumously, her influence continues in the fields of fashion and art, inspiring countless artists.
Early in her career, to make a living, Simone played piano at a nightclub in Atlantic City. She changed her name to "Nina Simone" to disguise herself from family members, having chosen to play "the devil's music" or so-called "cocktail piano".
She was told in the nightclub that she would have to sing to her own accompaniment, which effectively launched her career as a jazz vocalist. After making her debut with Little Girl Blue in 1958, she went on to record more than 40 albums up to 1974.
She released her first and biggest hit single in the United States in 1959 with "I Loves You, Porgy", which peaked inside the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Simone became known for her work in the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s, and she later left the United States and settled in France following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. She lived and performed in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
In 1991, Simone published her autobiography, I Put a Spell on You (taking the title from her famous 1965 album), and she continued to perform and attract audiences until her death.
Social Network
Nina Simone has retained a significant presence on social media through various fan pages and tribute accounts that share her music, quotes, and life stories. These platforms allow for ongoing discussions about her legacy and provide fans with a way to connect over her timeless work. Although Simone herself was not part of the digital age, her impact remains alive in a vibrant online community.
Nina Simone (born Eunice Kathleen Waymon; February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003) was an American singer, pianist, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Her music spanned styles including classical, folk, gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and pop.
Her piano playing was strongly influenced by baroque and classical music, especially Johann Sebastian Bach, and accompanied expressive, jazz-like singing in her contralto voice.
Education
Nina Simone attended the Juilliard School in New York City and later pursued classes at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she made strides in classical piano. Despite facing racial discrimination that impeded her acceptance into the Curtis Institute, her education laid a solid foundation for her extraordinary career in music and performance.
In summary, Nina Simone's profound influence on music and culture continues to endure, and her story remains one of resilience, artistry, and passionate activism. Her contributions to both the music industry and the fight for civil rights make her a revered and respected figure in American history.
The sixth of eight children born into a respected family in North Carolina, Simone initially aspired to be a concert pianist.
With the help of a local fund set up in her hometown, she enrolled at Allen High School for Girls, then spent a summer at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, preparing to apply for a scholarship to study at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
She failed to gain admission to Curtis, which she attributed to racism, though staff have pointed out that only three of 72 students were successful that year. In 2003, just days before her death, the institute awarded her an honorary degree.
