Natalie Cole Dead At 65; ‘This Will Be’ Singer Cause Of Death Reportedly Congestive Heart Failure

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m. EST — A representative of Natalie Cole released the following statment to TMZ: “It is with heavy hearts that we bring to you all the news of our Mother and sister’s passing. Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever.”

Original story:

“This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” singer Natalie Cole is dead at the age of 65. Cole reportedly died of congestive heart failure at a Los Angeles hospital.

The singer and songwriter, best known for her performances of songs such as “Inseparable,” “Pink Cadillac” and “Unforgettable,” was the daughter of the singers Nat King Cole and Maria Hawkins Cole. She was recently struggling with health issues, which resulted in her canceling some tours. TMZ broke the news of her death Friday.

Cole struggled with drug addiction in the 1980s and learned in 2008 that she had hepatitis C.

“I was a heroin addict, sharing needles with the crowd I was with,” she told People magazine in 2008. “At the time, I was having fun. I didn’t know. Then, 25 years later after a routine blood test, my doctor tells me, ‘You have hepatitis C.’ My life crumbled before my eyes. I never had symptoms. I didn’t know anything about it. Would I still have a career? Was I going to die? How long did I have? I was devastated. I had to let it sink in for six weeks while they ran more tests.”

The singer ended up receiving chemotherapy and taking an antiviral drug called Ribavirin. However, she also had issues with kidney failure. In 2009, she received a kidney transplant from an organ donor, a deceased fan.

Cole’s health issues hadn’t made headlines in recent years, but SFGate reported in October that she had canceled all her November and December tour dates after a medical procedure required an “extended hospital stay.”

The Rev. Jesse Jackson commented on Cole’s death through Twitter:

Cole was nominated for numerous Grammy Awards over the years, winning her first in 1976 for Best New Artist and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female. The following year, she landed another award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, for her song “Sophisticated Lady.” In 1992, she was able to recreate her Grammy magic by pulling in three awards: Album of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Traditional Pop Performance. The last Grammy she won was in 2009 for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for “Still Unforgettable.” Although she was still touring until her death, her last album release was in 2013 with “Natalie Cole en Espanol.”

The Recording Academy, and other celebrities and friends of Cole shared their condolences via Twitter:

Cole is survived by her son, singer Robert Adam Yancy.