The voice is among the most recognizable in popular music—warm, effortless, and impossibly smooth. But Nat King Cole was more than a master crooner; he was a virtuoso pianist who reshaped jazz combos before his singing made him a global star. His journey from a small apartment in Montgomery, Alabama, to the pinnacle of the entertainment industry remains one of the most remarkable stories in American music.
Cole’s career spanned just over two decades, yet he left behind a catalog of songs that continue to define romance, nostalgia, and seasonal celebration. He also broke racial barriers as a television pioneer, proving that talent could overcome prejudice. These are the facts of a life lived in the spotlight, cut short too soon, but never forgotten.
Who Was Nat King Cole?
- Born: March 17, 1919, Montgomery, AL
- Died: February 15, 1965, Santa Monica, CA (Cause: Lung Cancer)
- Genre: Jazz, Soul, Traditional Pop
- Famous Songs: Unforgettable, L-O-V-E, Smile, When I Fall In Love, The Christmas Song
Key Insights into His Life and Legacy
- Nat King Cole was one of the first African American men to host a national TV variety show.
- He was a highly skilled jazz pianist before his vocal fame.
- Unforgettable became a posthumous hit again in 1991 with digital duet technology featuring his daughter, Natalie Cole.
- He scored 150 singles across Billboard’s Pop, R&B, and Country charts.
- NPR reports he sold more than 50 million records.
- Cole was a trailblazer during the civil rights era, pushing open doors in media and entertainment.
Snapshot Facts: Key Details at a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nathaniel Adams Coles |
| Born | March 17, 1919 |
| Died | February 15, 1965 (aged 45) |
| Cause of Death | Lung Cancer |
| Spouse | Maria Cole |
| Children | 5, including Natalie Cole |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano |
| Labels | Capitol Records |
Born Nathaniel Adams Coles in Montgomery, Alabama, according to Britannica, he moved with his family to Chicago at a young age. His mother was a church organist, and young Nat learned piano from her, playing by ear. He had left school by his late teens, fully committed to a career in music.
By the late 1930s, he had formed the King Cole Trio with guitarist Oscar Moore and bassist Wesley Prince. The piano-guitar-bass format was unusual for the time but became highly influential in jazz combo history, as noted by the Smithsonian. NPR has stated that Cole “pushed jazz piano in a new direction.”
What Are Nat King Cole’s Most Famous Songs?
Cole’s discography is deep, but a handful of songs stand as cultural touchstones. His best-known recordings include “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “The Christmas Song,” “Nature Boy,” “Mona Lisa,” “Unforgettable,” “Sweet Lorraine,” and “Ramblin’ Rose,” as confirmed by sources including EBSCO and Encyclopedia.com.
“Nature Boy” reached the top of the charts in 1948, while “Mona Lisa” became a smash hit in 1950. According to the official Nat King Cole website, he placed 150 singles across Billboard’s pop, R&B, and country charts. He was one of the best-selling artists of the 1950s and 1960s, with NPR reporting sales of more than 50 million records.
The Meaning Behind “Unforgettable”
“Unforgettable” was released in 1951 and became Cole’s signature ballad. The song’s lyrics express a love so profound that the beloved remains permanently etched in memory. Cole’s delivery is intimate and direct, with no vocal pyrotechnics—just pure, unwavering tenderness. The song gained a second life in 1991, when technology allowed his daughter, Natalie Cole, to sing a duet with his original recording, winning a Grammy for the new version.
Did Nat King Cole Write His Own Songs?
While Cole is primarily celebrated as an interpreter of songs rather than a composer, he did co-write some of his early hits. “Straighten Up and Fly Right” (1943) was credited to Cole and Irving Mills. However, the vast majority of his most famous recordings—including “Unforgettable,” “L-O-V-E,” and “Smile”—were written by professional songwriting teams.
Before his vocal career took off, Cole first gained attention as an innovative pianist. Britannica describes him as one of the most influential pianists and small-group leaders of the swing era. He left school young to pursue music and formed the King Cole Trio, a format that became highly influential in jazz combo history.
What Is Nat King Cole’s Cause of Death?
Nat King Cole died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965, at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. He was 45 years old. Multiple authoritative sources, including the National Park Service and Britannica, confirm the cause of death.
Cole had been a heavy smoker for much of his adult life. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1964, underwent surgery to remove his left lung, and received treatment, but the cancer had spread. He continued performing for a time, making his final public appearance in December 1964.
Cole was not killed in a car accident or assassination. His death was illness-related, specifically from lung cancer. He died at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California. Some uncertainty exists about his true birth year—a few sources suggest 1917—but March 17, 1919, is the widely accepted date.
Was Nat King Cole Married and Did He Have Children?
Cole was married twice. His first marriage, to Nadine Robinson, ended in divorce in 1948. In that same year, he married Maria Hawkins Ellington (no relation to Duke Ellington), a singer who had performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. They remained together until his death.
The couple had five children. Their daughter, Natalie Cole, became a highly successful singer in her own right, winning multiple Grammy Awards. She famously re-recorded “Unforgettable” as a duet with her father’s original 1951 recording, a project that introduced Cole’s music to a new generation. The other children include Carole, Casey, Kelly, and twin daughters Timolin and Casey (one died in infancy).
A Timeline of Nat King Cole’s Life
- 1919: Born in Montgomery, Alabama
- 1937: King Cole Trio formed
- 1943: First national hit “Straighten Up and Fly Right”
- 1950: Smash hit “Mona Lisa”
- 1956: “The Nat King Cole Show” debuts on NBC
- 1961: “Unforgettable” released
- 1964: Diagnosed with lung cancer
- 1965: Died at St. John’s Hospital, Santa Monica
What Remains Clear, and What Is Uncertain?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965 | Some debate over his true birth year (some sources say 1917) |
| First African American performer to host a national TV variety show in 1956 | No complete, authoritative album-by-album discography is readily available in the top search results |
| Sold more than 50 million records | The full extent of his vinyl resurgence in recent years is not documented in a single, definitive source |
What Is Nat King Cole’s Legacy in Music and Culture?
Cole’s dual identity—as a seminal jazz pianist and a mass-market pop crooner—has sometimes created tension among critics, but it has only expanded his audience. He is recognized in multiple halls of fame, including the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, as noted by the Encyclopedia of Alabama.
His television show, despite its brevity, was a landmark in racial integration. It featured a wide range of guests, both Black and white, and proved that a Black artist could command a national audience. The Smithsonian emphasizes his role in breaking barriers in American media and entertainment.
In the digital era, his music has found new life. The 1991 duet of “Unforgettable” with his daughter Natalie won three Grammy Awards. His Christmas recordings remain perennial favorites. His music continues to reach new audiences through streaming platforms and vinyl reissues, a testament to the enduring quality of his artistry.
Where Did the Facts Come From? Key Sources and Quotes
“Cole pushed jazz piano in a new direction.”
— NPR, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth
“He was one of the most influential pianists and small-group leaders of the swing era.”
— Britannica
“Cole became the first African American performer to host a national television variety show.”
— National Park Service
Summary: Who Was Nat King Cole in a Nutshell?
Nat King Cole was an American jazz pianist, singer, and bandleader who rose from obscurity to become one of the best-selling and most influential musicians of the 20th century. He was a pioneering jazz pianist with the King Cole Trio before his warm baritone voice made him a global pop sensation. He broke racial barriers as the first Black host of a national TV variety show, and his songs—especially “Unforgettable”—remain timeless classics. He died of lung cancer in 1965 at age 45. For a look at another towering figure in music, read our Quincy Jones – Cause of Death, Net Worth and Career Legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nat King Cole
Did Nat King Cole write his own songs?
He co-wrote some early hits like “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” but the majority of his famous songs were written by professional songwriters.
What was Nat King Cole’s net worth at death?
His exact net worth is not publicly documented, but he was one of the best-selling artists of the 1950s and 1960s, earning substantial income from record sales and television.
Did Nat King Cole ever tour internationally?
Yes. Cole toured extensively around the world, including Europe, South America, and Australia, performing for massive audiences.
Was Nat King Cole related to Natalie Cole?
Yes. Natalie Cole was his daughter with his wife, Maria Cole. She became a successful singer in her own right.
What was Nat King Cole’s first hit?
“Straighten Up and Fly Right,” released in 1943, was his first national hit, reaching the Billboard R&B chart.
Is Nat King Cole still popular on vinyl?
Yes. His albums, especially holiday collections and greatest hits compilations, are highly sought after by collectors and frequently reissued on vinyl.
What genre of music did Nat King Cole play?
He primarily played jazz and traditional pop. He is often classified under the umbrella of vocal jazz or easy listening.
Who was Nat King Cole’s wife?
His wife was Maria Cole, a former singer. They married in 1948 and had five children together.
What is Nat King Cole’s real name?
His birth name was Nathaniel Adams Coles. He dropped the “s” in his last name early in his career.
How did Nat King Cole die?
He died of lung cancer on February 15, 1965, in Santa Monica, California.
Victoria Winslow is Editor-in-Chief at ShowbizUK.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality across the publication.