Nina Simone

Nina Simone, born Eunice Kathleen Waymon, was the sixth of eight children in a poor family. Her mother, Mary Kate Waymon, was a Methodist minister and housemaid, and her father, John Divine Waymon, was a handyman and barber.

At the age of 10, Eunice began taking classical piano lessons with Muriel Mazzanovich, a British immigrant. Her exceptional talent and dedication to music were evident from a young age.

Eunice graduated from Allen High School for Girls in Asheville, North Carolina, where she excelled academically and musically. She was a top student and continued to pursue her passion for classical music.

To support herself and her family, Eunice began performing in Atlantic City nightclubs. She adopted the stage name Nina Simone, combining her nickname 'Nina' and the surname of the actor Simone Signoret.

Nina Simone signed with Bethlehem Records and recorded her debut album, 'Little Girl Blue.' The album included her first hit, 'I Loves You, Porgy,' which reached No. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Following the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and the assassination of Medgar Evers, Nina Simone wrote and performed 'Mississippi Goddam,' a powerful protest song that became a civil rights anthem.

Nina Simone and her second husband, Andy Stroud, moved to Liberia, West Africa. This move was a significant personal and professional shift, as she sought a break from the intense racial tensions in the United States.

After several years in Liberia and Switzerland, Nina Simone returned to the United States. She continued to perform and record, though her career had slowed down in the early 1970s.

Nina Simone published her autobiography, 'I Put a Spell on You,' which provided a candid and often controversial account of her life, career, and struggles with mental health and the music industry.

Nina Simone passed away in her sleep at her home in Carry-le-Rouet, France. She was 70 years old. Her legacy as a musician, activist, and cultural icon continues to inspire generations.