Natalie Cole: Legendary Singer Dies at 65

ABC News is reporting Natalie Cole, the Grammy award-winning daughter of legendary singer Nat “King” Cole” has died. The Associated Press writes:

“Natalie died Thursday evening at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles due to compilations from ongoing health issues, her family said in a statement.

‘Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived … with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever,’ read the statement from her son Robert Yancy and sisters Timolin and Casey Cole.

Cole had battled drug problems and hepatitis that forced her to undergo a kidney transplant in May 2009. Cole’s older sister, Carol “Cookie” Cole, died the day she received the transplant. Their brother, Nat Kelly Cole, died in 1995.”

Cole made her recording debut in 1975 with Inseparable, winning a Grammy award for Best New Artist and one for best female R&B vocal performance for “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love).”

The singer’s greatest success came with her 1991 album, Unforgettable which paid tribute to her father with reworked versions of some of his best-known songs, including “That Sunday That Summer,” ”Too Young” and “Mona Lisa.” The album sold some 14 million copies and won six Grammys, including album of the year as well record and song of the year for the title track duet.

Cole famously battled drug addiction which she discussed in her 2000 autobiography Angel on My Shoulder: An Autobiography. She was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 2008 and had absolutely no issues with coming out publicy about the condition of her health as soon as tested positive using the likes of this service that conducts STD testing in Las Vegas for example.

Cole was also an actress,nominated for an Emmy award in 1992 for a televised performance of her father’s songs. She was 65.

Read more at ABC News.

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