Lucille Wilson (Louis Armstrong’s Wife) Wiki, Biography, Age, Kids, Family, Net Worth, Death & Obituary
Lucille Wilson was more than just the wife of one of the most influential figures in jazz history. She was also a singer, a dancer, a philanthropist, and a devoted partner who supported and inspired Louis Armstrong throughout their 29 years of marriage.
Birthday, Early Life and Career
Lucille Buchanan Wilson Armstrong was born in the Bronx, New York, on January 13, 1914 (age: 69 years, when died), to Maude Perry Wilson and John Wilson. She was the youngest of four children, a sister, Janet Wilson Phipps, and two brothers, John and Nathaniel. Her father owned a cab company, but he lost his business after the stock market crash of 1929.
She had to drop out of high school and pursue a career as a dancer. She joined a troupe called the Cotton Club Boys and Girls, and performed at the famous Harlem nightclub, the Cotton Club. She also appeared in Broadway shows such as Blackbirds of 1933 and Hot Mikado. She was known for her beauty, grace, and charisma on stage.
Lucille Wilson met Louis Armstrong in 1939, when she was hired as a chorus girl for his show at the Cotton Club. She was immediately attracted to him, and he was impressed by her singing and dancing skills. He invited her to join his band as a vocalist, and they soon became romantically involved.
However, their relationship was not easy, as Louis was still married to his third wife, Alpha Smith, and had a reputation as a womanizer. She had to endure his infidelities and his frequent absences due to his busy touring schedule. She also had to deal with his health problems, such as his chronic lip ulcers and his addiction to marijuana. Despite these difficulties, she remained loyal and devoted to Louis, and eventually convinced him to divorce Alpha and marry her. They tied the knot on October 12, 1942, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Lucille Wilson Wiki/Bio
| Name | Lucille Wilson (Lucille Buchanan Wilson Armstrong) |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | January 13, 1914 |
| Birth Place | Bronx, New York, U.S. |
| Death Date | October 13, 1983 |
| Death Place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Cause of Death | Complications of diabetes |
| Burial Place | Flushing Cemetery, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Singer, dancer, actress, philanthropist |
| Spouse | Louis Armstrong (m. 1942-1971) |
| Children | None (stepson Clarence Armstrong) |
| Net Worth | Unknown |
| Famous For | Being the fourth and final wife of Louis Armstrong, supporting and inspiring his music career, donating to various causes and organizations related to music education and cultural preservation |
| Links | IMDB- @nm3914713 Homepage- Newsunzip |
Meeting and Marrying Louis Armstrong
Lucille Wilson first met Louis Armstrong in 1936, when she was working as a dancer at the Cotton Club in Los Angeles. Armstrong, who was already a renowned trumpeter and vocalist, was performing there with his orchestra. She was immediately attracted to him, and asked him to autograph her photo. He obliged, and wrote: “To Lucille, You have a lovely body and a beautiful smile. I hope to see you again. Louis Armstrong.”
They did see each other again, and soon began a romantic relationship. However, Armstrong was still married to his third wife, Alpha Smith, whom he had wed in 1938. He also had a son, Clarence, from his first marriage to Daisy Parker, who was mentally disabled after a head injury as a child. Armstrong was reluctant to divorce Smith, fearing that she would take his money and his son away from him. He also had a busy touring schedule, which made it hard for him to spend time with Lucille
Despite these obstacles, she remained faithful and patient with Armstrong, and waited for him to sort out his marital issues. She also helped him with his finances, his health, and his career. She encouraged him to hire a new manager, Joe Glaser, who secured him better contracts and bookings. She also persuaded him to quit smoking marijuana, which he had been using since his youth, and switch to herbal cigarettes instead. She also cooked for him, and made sure he ate well and took his medications.
Finally, in 1942, Armstrong divorced Smith, and married Lucille on October 12, in a private ceremony at City Hall in Los Angeles. They moved to a modest apartment in Queens, New York, where they lived for the rest of their lives. She decorated the apartment with photos, paintings, and memorabilia of Armstrong’s career, and turned it into a cozy and comfortable home for him. She also welcomed his son Clarence, and took care of him as her own.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5’ 5¾” (1.67 m)
- Weight: Unknown
- Eye color: Brown
Supporting and Inspiring Louis Armstrong
Lucille Wilson was not only a loving wife, but also a loyal partner and a creative muse for Armstrong. She accompanied him on many of his tours, both in the US and abroad, and often sang with him on stage. She also helped him with his correspondence, his interviews, and his fan mail. She was his confidante, his critic, and his cheerleader. She also defended him from racism, criticism, and controversy.
Lucille was also a source of inspiration for some of Armstrong’s most famous songs. For instance, he wrote “A Kiss to Build a Dream On” for her, and dedicated it to her on his 1951 recording. He also recorded “What a Wonderful World” in 1967, as a tribute to her and to their happy life together. He once said: “Lucille is my inspiration. She’s the one who makes me want to sing those love songs. She’s the one who makes me feel that way.”.
She also encouraged Armstrong to pursue his other passions, such as painting, writing, and collecting. She bought him his first paint set, and supported his hobby of creating colorful and whimsical artworks. She also helped him publish his autobiography, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans, in 1954, and his memoir, Satchmo: The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, in 1971. She also indulged his love of collecting various items, such as guns, knives, tapes, records, books, and souvenirs.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 1982 | $500,000 |
| 1983 | $1.5 million |
Philanthropy and Legacy
Lucille Wilson was not only devoted to her husband but also to his fans and his community. She was a generous and charitable person, who donated money and time to various causes and organizations. She was especially involved in supporting music education and cultural preservation. She helped establish the Louis Armstrong Educational Foundation in 1969, which provides scholarships, grants, and programs for aspiring musicians and students. She also donated many of Armstrong’s belongings and recordings to various museums and archives, such as the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, and the Louis Armstrong House Museum.
Death & Obituary
Lucille Wilson passed away on October 13, 1983, at the age of 69, from complications of diabetes. She was buried next to her husband at Flushing Cemetery in Queens, New York. She left behind a legacy of love, music, and generosity, that continues to touch and inspire millions of people around the world. As Armstrong once said: “She is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. She’s my everything.”
