Cole Porter

Date of Birth: June 9, 1891

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: October 15, 1964

Biography

Cole Porter was an American composer and songwriter born on June 9, 1891, in Peru, Indiana. He became one of the most significant figures in 20th-century music, known for his sophisticated, urbane style and witty lyrics. Porter attended Yale University, where he composed fight songs that are still played today. He later studied at Harvard Law School but switched to the music program. His first Broadway success came with the musical “Paris” in 1928, which included the hit song “Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love.” Porter’s career flourished in the 1930s and 1940s with a string of successful musicals such as “Anything Goes,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” and “High Society.” His work was characterized by clever wordplay, complex rhymes, and memorable melodies. Despite suffering a severe horseback riding accident in 1937 that left him in chronic pain and led to numerous surgeries, Porter continued to compose prolifically. He died on October 15, 1964, in Santa Monica, California. His music remains an enduring part of the American songbook.

5 Interesting Facts about Cole Porter

1. Cole Porter wrote over 800 songs during his career.

2. He was a contemporary of other great American composers like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin.

3. Porter was known for throwing extravagant parties attended by the elite of society.

4. Despite his wealth and social standing, Porter was deeply private about his personal life.

5. His song “Night and Day” is one of the most recorded standards in the history of popular music.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Cole Porter

1. “Anything Goes.”

2. “I get no kick from champagne. Mere alcohol doesn’t thrill me at all.”

3. “You’re the top! You’re the Colosseum.”

4. “It’s delightful, it’s delicious, it’s de-lovely.”

5. “In olden days, a glimpse of stocking was looked on as something shocking, now heaven knows, anything goes.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Cole Porter’s net worth was estimated to be around $2 million, which is equivalent to approximately $20 million today when adjusted for inflation.