Lena Horne

Date of Birth: June 30, 1917

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: May 9, 2010

Biography

Lena Horne was an iconic American singer, dancer, actress, and civil rights activist. Born in Brooklyn, New York, she made her first debut on the stage at the age of 16. Horne’s career spanned over 70 years, during which she became one of the most revered and influential African-American performers of her time. She broke numerous racial barriers in Hollywood, becoming the first African-American actress to sign a long-term contract with a major Hollywood studio, MGM. Horne was also known for her work in civil rights, using her fame to advocate for racial equality and justice. Her most memorable performances include roles in “Cabin in the Sky” (1943) and “Stormy Weather” (1943). She continued to perform well into her later years, releasing albums and performing in concerts that showcased her powerful voice and magnetic stage presence.

5 Interesting Facts about Lena Horne

1. Lena Horne was the first African-American actress to sign a long-term contract with MGM Studios.

2. She was blacklisted during the 1950s due to her political views and civil rights activism.

3. Horne refused to perform for segregated audiences during World War II and often entertained the troops along with other artists.

4. She won a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway show “Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music” in 1981.

5. Lena Horne was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1984 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Lena Horne

1. “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.”

2. “You have to be taught to be second class; you’re not born that way.”

3. “My identity is very clear to me now, I am a black woman.”

4. “I don’t have to be an imitation of a white woman that Hollywood sort of hoped I’d become. I’m me, and I’m like nobody else.”

5. “The trouble with nearly everybody who prays is that they say ‘Amen’ and run away before God has a chance to reply.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Lena Horne’s net worth was estimated to be around $30 million.

Children

Lena Horne had two children: a daughter named Gail Lumet Buckley, who became an acclaimed author and journalist, and a son named Edwin Fletcher “Teddy” Jones, who tragically passed away from kidney disease at a young age.