Ella Fitzgerald

NAME Ella Jane Fitzgerald

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Ella Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer known as the "First Lady of Song," "Queen of Jazz," and "Lady Ella." She was celebrated for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, intonation, and a "horn-like" improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

BIRTH Ella Jane Fitzgerald was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News, Virginia. At the time of her birth, her father worked on a grain ship in the port city.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Fitzgerald was the child of William Fitzgerald and Temperance "Tempie" Williams Fitzgerald, who had a common-law marriage. Her parents separated shortly after her birth. By the time she was twelve, her mother had remarried to Portuguese immigrant Antonio Corri (also documented as Joseph Da Silva), who became Fitzgerald's stepfather. She had a half-sister, Frances, born in 1923, with whom she remained close throughout her life.

CHILDHOOD After her parents' separation, young Ella moved with her mother to Yonkers, New York. She grew up in a diverse, working-class neighborhood where she made friends easily. To support the family, her stepfather dug ditches and worked as a part-time chauffeur, while her mother worked at a laundromat and did catering. Fitzgerald occasionally took small jobs to contribute to the household income, including working as a runner for local gamblers.

Fitzgerald was considered more of a tomboy in her youth, often joining neighborhood baseball games. She also enjoyed dancing and singing with friends, sometimes taking the train into Harlem to watch performances at the Apollo Theater.

Her childhood took a tragic turn in 1932 when her mother died from injuries sustained in a car accident. Following this loss, fifteen-year-old Fitzgerald moved in with her aunt in Harlem. Shortly thereafter, her stepfather also died of a heart attack. This period of profound loss led to a difficult time in her life, during which her grades declined and she became involved in running numbers for bookies. (1)

EDUCATION Fitzgerald attended Benjamin Franklin Junior High School. Due to truancy, she was sent to the Colored Orphan Asylum and later the New York Training School for Girls, a state reformatory school. After losing her mother, her academic performance suffered significantly.

CAREER RECORD  After moving to New York, to help contribute money to the household, Ella Fitzgerald  took on some small jobs, even running for local gamblers. She picked up their bets and dropped off money

November 21, 1934: Won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater.

1935: Began performing with the Chick Webb Orchestra.

1938: Achieved her first hit with "A-Tisket, A-Tasket."

1939: Led the Chick Webb Orchestra after Webb's death.

1940s: Performed with Dizzy Gillespie, embracing bebop.

1950s-1960s: Recorded her famous "Song Book" series.

APPEARANCE Ella was described as a "large woman who'd grown up rough," whose physical appearance didn't conform to conventional beauty standards of her era. However, she was known for her warm smile and dignified stage presence. As she aged, she carried herself with grace, often seen in elegant evening gowns during performances. Fitzgerald wore cat's-eye glasses that became part of her signature look. (2)

Ella Fitzgerald 1986 by By Brianmcmillen Wikipedia

FASHION Fitzgerald's fashion sense evolved dramatically throughout her career, becoming an important element of her public persona. Early in her career, she struggled with shabby clothing, but as her success grew, she embraced a sophisticated style featuring sequined gowns and luxurious fabrics.

She collaborated with Zelda Wynn Valdes, a breakthrough African American designer who believed dresses should highlight and celebrate a woman's attributes. Her wardrobe featured luxurious materials including charmeuse, hammered satin, chiffon, burned-out velvet, knits, embroidery, and expert tailoring. Her iconic black sequined floor-length gown perfectly encapsulated her ability to blend sophistication with joy.

Fitzgerald used fashion strategically to open doors in a segregated society, understanding that elegant attire could serve as "presentational shorthand" that communicated respectability and equal stature-particularly crucial for a Black woman of her era. Her red carpet looks often featured luxurious fabrics like chiffon and charmeuse, highlighting her sophisticated style and artistic expression.

Annie Leibowitz's famous American Express portrait captured this sense of style perfectly, showing Fitzgerald in a tailored tomato-red dress, matching pillbox hat, and vintage leopard coat. (2)

CHARACTER Fitzgerald maintained a notably private personal life throughout her career. Rather than celebrating after performances and tours, she often preferred going home to read books and watch her favorite television soap operas.

Her persona combined confidence and innocence in a way that reflected mid-20th century America. She maintained an unwavering commitment to jazz as an art form despite her commercial popularity. While she faced significant racial discrimination throughout her career, her talent transcended these barriers, allowing her to connect with diverse audiences worldwide.

SPEAKING VOICE Her speaking voice was soft and unassuming, a contrast to her powerful singing voice.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Fitzgerald had a warm and sometimes self-deprecating sense of humor. This was particularly evident during her legendary February 1960 live Berlin performance of “Mack the Knife,” where she forgot the lyrics and improvised with grace and wit—earning her a Grammy.

RELATIONSHIPS Ella Fitzgerald married Benny Kornegay, a local dockworker, in 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. The marriage was annulled in 1942 after Fitzgerald discovered Kornegay had a criminal record.

While touring with Dizzy Gillespie's band in the mid-1940s, she met and fell in love with bassist Ray Brown. The couple married during a civil ceremony in Youngstown, Ohio, on December 10, 1947. The marriage license was recorded on December 12, 1947, at the Mahoning County Courthouse. The ceremony took place while Fitzgerald was performing at the Merry-Go-Round nightclub in Youngstown.

The two adopted a child born to Fitzgerald's half-sister Frances, whom they christened Ray Brown, Jr.  He became a jazz and blues singer.

Fitzgerald and Brown divorced in 1953, bowing to the various career pressures both were experiencing at the time, though they would occasionally continue to perform together. 

Brown, c. 1947 in a band with Dizzy Gillespie by McOleo Wikipedia

There were reports that Fitzgerald secretly married Thor Einar Larsen, a Norwegian, in Oslo in July 1957. However, this marriage is not officially documented and ended abruptly after Larsen was sentenced to prison for theft.

Marilyn Monroe was not only a devoted fan of Fitzgerald’s music-calling her “my very favorite person, and I love her as a person as well as a singer, I think she’s the greatest”-but also a true friend who used her celebrity to support Fitzgerald during a time of racial prejudice in America. Their friendship began in the mid-1950s, after Monroe saw Fitzgerald perform in Los Angeles and the two connected over shared experiences, including difficult childhoods, early unsuccessful marriages, and the challenges of stardom.

MONEY AND FAME At the time of her death, Fitzgerald had amassed a net worth of approximately $10 million. Her commercial success was substantial, with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide during her lifetime. Her audiences were remarkably diverse, spanning all races, religions, nationalities, and economic backgrounds.

Despite her success, Fitzgerald faced the persistent reality of racial discrimination. In a candid 1963 interview that was never broadcast, she expressed frustration about not being able to perform in certain parts of the South due to segregation laws. In one particularly revealing incident from 1955, she was arrested in her dressing room at an integrated show in Houston-only to have an officer at the police station ask for her autograph afterward.

FOOD AND DRINK Ella Fitzgerald had a well-known love of food, particularly "hearty food" and dishes rooted in Southern cooking. According to those close to her, including her son Ray Brown, Jr., Fitzgerald never cooked herself but was an avid reader and collector of cookbooks-amassing a collection of about 300 volumes, which she read as others might read novels, sometimes annotating them in the margins. Her collection included many books featuring Southern cuisine and works by African-American and Jewish writers, reflecting her broad culinary interests.

Even though Fitzgerald was not a cook, she loved to talk about food, especially later in life when her diet became restricted due to diabetes and heart problems. Despite these limitations, her enthusiasm for food and culinary conversation remained strong. (3)

Regarding drink, Fitzgerald's reputation was "unmarred by drinking, drugs or smoking." She lived a relatively clean lifestyle compared to many of her jazz contemporaries, and there is no evidence she was known for drinking alcohol or indulging in substance

MUSIC CAREER On the evening of November 21, 1934, a nervous 17-year-old girl in hand-me-down clothes stood backstage at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater, fully intending to dance. But fate, as it often does, had other plans. Seeing that she was up against a pair of show-stopping hoofers called the Edwards Sisters, she panicked, pivoted, and announced she'd sing instead. It was a bold decision—possibly mad—but also the best one she would ever make. She launched into Hoagy Carmichael’s “Judy,” and by the time she finished, the audience was hollering for more. Not bad for a first public performance. She took home the $25 first prize, which in Depression-era dollars was roughly the value of a used car and two chickens.

In 1935, having made an impression that refused to fade, Ella crossed paths with jazz drummer Chick Webb—a man who looked like he’d been carved out of determination and wire. He took her under his wing, gave her a gig with his band, and eventually became her legal guardian. That same year, she recorded her first single, "Love and Kisses," though it was her cheeky 1938 co-written hit “A-Tisket, A-Tasket”—yes, the one about a lost yellow basket—that catapulted her from jazz hopeful to bona fide star. Turns out nursery rhymes and swing rhythms make surprisingly good bedfellows.

When Webb died in 1939, the band did a rather astonishing thing—they named Ella their leader, making her one of the first women to helm a major jazz orchestra. She did so until the group dissolved in 1942, at which point she struck out solo and began dabbling in something fresh and frisky called bebop. Not only did she keep up with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, she invented a whole new language of jazz with her scatting—essentially joyful, acrobatic nonsense that somehow made more musical sense than most actual lyrics.

Things really took off when Norman Granz entered the picture. A man with a suit, a cause, and a remarkable knack for matchmaking (musically speaking), he built Verve Records more or less around Ella’s voice. From 1956 to 1964, she recorded her “Songbook” series, tackling everything from Cole Porter to Irving Berlin, and in the process became the definitive voice of the Great American Songbook. If you wanted to know how a Gershwin tune ought to sound, you went to Ella. Everyone did.

Over the decades, she shared the mic with legends—Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie. Together they churned out the sort of classics that feel like they’ve existed since the beginning of time, or at least since your parents first slow danced.

Despite grueling tours, chronic illness, and an industry not always kind to women—let alone Black women—Fitzgerald soldiered on. She performed everywhere from the Hollywood Bowl to Royal Albert Hall and refused to slow down until 1993, when after nearly 60 years of making the world swing, she gave her final bow.

MUSIC AND ARTS Fitzgerald’s greatest passion was music. She was deeply interested in music and musicians, absorbing new styles and experimenting with her voice, especially in scat singing and bebop. She was also committed to performing and the joy of jazz, which permeated her nearly six-decade career. Beyond performing, she enjoyed attending live acts and was an enthusiastic supporter of the arts throughout her life.

Fitzgerald's musical gifts were extraordinary and multifaceted. Her voice was described as flexible, wide-ranging, accurate, and ageless. She could seamlessly transition between sultry ballads and sweet jazz, and could even imitate every instrument in an orchestra.

Her vocal technique was characterized by remarkable purity of tone, impeccable diction, precise phrasing, perfect timing, flawless intonation, and absolute pitch. However, her most distinctive talent was arguably her improvisational ability, particularly evident in her revolutionary scat singing.

LITERATURE Ella Fitzgerald greatly enjoyed reading. Offstage, she was known for her privacy and quiet habits, often preferring to go home and read books rather than attend parties or public events. She was described as someone who "kept a lot inside her head," and friends noted that she enjoyed reading as a form of relaxation and escape. Her love of books extended to collecting cookbooks-she reportedly owned around 300, which she read as others might read novels, sometimes annotating them in the margins. (4)

NATURE She reportedly enjoyed peaceful retreats away from the spotlight.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Ella loved to read and was known to enjoy watching sports, though she devoted most of her time and energy to music and performing.

Outside of her musical career, Fitzgerald had a deep concern for child welfare and was committed to charitable work. She made generous donations to organizations supporting disadvantaged youths and later established the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation, focusing on academic opportunities for children, music education, basic care for the less fortunate, and medical research.

In 1972, Ella Fitzgerald, along with Carol Channing, performed during Super Bowl VI where the Miami Dolphins faced off against the Dallas Cowboys in New Orleans. She became  the first African-American woman to perform during Super Bowl Halftime.  

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY While Fitzgerald did not publicly discuss her religious beliefs in detail, her life was marked by humility, gratitude, and a quiet sense of purpose. She credited her mother’s favorite songs and early exposure to music as sources of comfort and inspiration. Her actions and charitable work suggest a worldview shaped by compassion and a desire to serve. She was known for her kindness and compassion, guided by a strong moral compass.

Fitzgerald in 1940

POLITICS Though Fitzgerald generally avoided political statements throughout most of her career-reportedly saying, "show people should stay out of politics"-she did make exceptions. In an unbroadcast 1963 interview with radio host Fred Robbins, she spoke candidly about racism, expressing frustration about being unable to perform in parts of the Southern United States due to segregation. "It makes you feel so bad to think we can't go down through certain parts of the South and give a concert like we do overseas, and have everybody just come to hear the music and enjoy the music because of the prejudice thing that's going on," she said.

Throughout her career, she faced substantial racial discrimination, including a 1955 arrest at an integrated show in Houston. Despite these challenges, her talent ultimately transcended barriers and helped advance the cause of racial equality in the entertainment industry. (5) 

SCANDAL Following her mother's death when Fitzgerald was fifteen, she entered a troubled period in her life. She became involved with local mobsters and gamblers, occasionally running bets for bookies. This activity eventually led to her placement in the New York Colored Orphan Asylum in the Bronx, where she suffered humiliating treatment.

After spending part of 1932 in the orphanage, she ran away. She subsequently experienced periods of homelessness while struggling to find work in Depression-era New York.

MILITARY RECORD She performed extensively for troops during WWII as part of USO tours.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Fitzgerald began experiencing serious health problems in the 1970s but continued performing regularly. In 1986, she underwent heart surgery after suffering from congestive heart failure. Her health challenges were compounded by diabetes, which ultimately necessitated the amputation of both her legs in 1993.

Despite these severe health setbacks, her passion for music remained undimmed. Even after her heart surgery in 1986, she continued to perform periodically.

HOMES She lived in Yonkers, New York, during her childhood. Later in life, she resided in Beverly Hills, California.

TRAVEL Fitzgerald performed extensively throughout the world, appearing at top venues globally. Her international touring schedule included performances with numerous jazz greats, including regular participation in Norman Granz's famous Jazz at the Philharmonic concert tours. She was warmly received by audiences overseas, sometimes finding more acceptance internationally than in parts of her segregated home country.

DEATH Ella Fitzgerald died on June 15, 1996, at her home in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 79. She had been suffering from heart disease and diabetes for many years. At the time of her passing, she was surrounded by family and friends.

Fitzgerald’s funeral services were private, as requested by her family. The family also asked that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to the Society of Singers, an organization supporting professional singers in need. The Society of Singers' lifetime achievement award is named "The Ella" in her honor.

Ella Fitzgerald is interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. She rests within the Sunset Mission Mausoleum, second floor, in the Sanctuary of the Bells, Crypt 1063. Her grave marker is inscribed:

BELOVED MOTHER & GRANDMOTHER

MISS ELLA JANE FITZGERALD

1917–1996

THE FIRST LADY OF SONG

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Beyond her numerous music recordings, Fitzgerald appeared in several films, including Pete Kelly's Blues (playing Maggie Jackson), St. Louis Blues (1958), and Let No Man Write My Epitaph (1960). She also made an appearance in a 1980s television drama called The White Shadow.

Throughout her career, she was featured in various commercial advertisements, including campaigns for Memorex (where her voice shattered a glass, asking: “Is it live, or is it Memorex?”), Kentucky Fried Chicken, and American Express.

ACHIEVEMENTS Fitzgerald's extraordinary career garnered numerous awards and distinctions:

14 Grammy Awards

First African American woman to win a Grammy Award (1958)

Grammy Hall of Fame recognition for "A-Tisket, A-Tasket" in 1986

Presidential Medal of Freedom (1992)

National Medal of Arts (1987)

Kennedy Center Honors (1979)

Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (1995)

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1967)

Sources (1) ellafitzgerald.com (2) NPR (3) The Harvard Crimson (4) The Nation (5) USA Today