History of Patti LaBelle in Timeline

Patti LaBelle, born Patricia Louise Holte, is a highly acclaimed American R&B singer and actress, often called the "Godmother of Soul." She rose to prominence in the early 1960s as the lead singer of Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. The group later evolved into Labelle in the 1970s, achieving major success with the chart-topping hit "Lady Marmalade" before disbanding in 1976. LaBelle's career spans decades, marking her as an icon in the music industry.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1962: Dropped out of high school

In 1962, Patti LaBelle dropped out of Philadelphia's John Bartram High School just a semester before graduating.

1964: Engaged to Otis Williams

Around 1964, Patti LaBelle was engaged to Otis Williams, a founding member of The Temptations. The engagement lasted a year before LaBelle broke it off, fearing Williams would force her to move to Detroit and retire from her career.

July 23, 1969: Married Armstead Edwards

On July 23, 1969, Patti LaBelle married her longtime friend, Armstead Edwards, who was a schoolteacher.

July 17, 1973: Son Zuri Kye Edwards was born

On July 17, 1973, Patti LaBelle's son, Zuri Kye Edwards, was born. After his birth, LaBelle suffered from postpartum depression for a year.

October 1975: Sister Vivian Hogan Rogers died

In October 1975, Patti LaBelle's eldest sister, Vivian Hogan Rogers, passed away from lung cancer at the age of 43.

October 1978: Mother Bertha died

In October 1978, Patti LaBelle's mother, Bertha, passed away from diabetes at the age of 62.

October 1982: Sister Barbara Holte Purifoy died

In October 1982, Patti LaBelle's elder sister, Barbara Holte Purifoy, died from complications of colon cancer at the age of 40.

1987: Became spokesperson for National Minority AIDS Council

In 1987, Patti LaBelle became a spokesperson for the National Minority AIDS Council and promoted the "Live Long, Sugar" campaign to encourage people of color to seek treatment for AIDS. She used her influence to raise awareness around the AIDS crisis and support the LGBT community.

July 1989: Sister Jacqueline Holte-Padgett died

In July 1989, Patti LaBelle lost her youngest sister, Jacqueline "Jackie" Holte-Padgett, to brain cancer at the age of 43. The day after her sister was buried, Patti LaBelle shot the music video for "If You Asked Me To".

October 1989: Father Henry Holte Jr. died

In October 1989, Patti LaBelle's father, Henry Holte Jr., died from complications related to emphysema and Alzheimer's disease at the age of 70.

1991: Dedicated Burnin' album to sister Jacqueline Holte-Padgett

In 1991, Patti LaBelle dedicated her Burnin' album to her late sister, Jacqueline Holte-Padgett, who had passed away from brain cancer in 1989.

1991: Recorded "Superwoman" duet and released "Burnin'" album

In 1991, Patti LaBelle recorded a duet version of "Superwoman" with Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick. That same year, she released the solo album, Burnin', featuring collaborations with several artists, which went gold and had three successful singles. This success set the stage for her Grammy win the following year.

1992: Won first Grammy Award

In 1992, Patti LaBelle won her first Grammy Award in the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance category for her work the previous year. She shared the win with Lisa Fischer, marking a rare tie in Grammy history. She was also nominated for "Superwoman" in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category alongside Knight and Warwick.

1994: Released "Gems" album

In 1994, Patti LaBelle's album, Gems, was released and went gold, featuring the hit "The Right Kinda Lover."

January 29, 1995: Performed at Super Bowl XXIX halftime show

On January 29, 1995, Patti LaBelle performed at the Super Bowl XXIX halftime show at the Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami alongside Tony Bennett, Arturo Sandoval, and Miami Sound Machine.

1996: Performed "This Christmas" at National Tree Lighting Ceremony

During the 2010s, Patti LaBelle's performance of "This Christmas" at the 1996 National Tree Lighting Ceremony, broadcast live on C-SPAN, began gaining viral popularity annually during the holiday season due to her reactions to technical difficulties and other performance challenges.

1996: Released memoirs, "Don't Block the Blessings"

In 1996, Patti LaBelle released her bestselling memoirs, Don't Block the Blessings.

Don't Block the Blessings

Check it on Amazon

1997: Released first cookbook

In 1997, Patti LaBelle released the first of five bestselling cookbooks.

1998: Released live album "Live! One Night Only" and honored at Essence Awards

In 1998, Patti LaBelle released the live album, Live! One Night Only. She was also honored with the Triumphant Spirit Award for Career Achievement at the 1998 Essence Awards, featuring tributes from various artists.

February 1999: Won second Grammy Award

In February 1999, Patti LaBelle received her second Grammy win for the album, Live! One Night Only.

2000: Separated from Armstead Edwards

In 2000, Patti LaBelle and Armstead Edwards legally separated. Edwards had been LaBelle's manager since she started her solo career.

2000: Released "When a Woman Loves" album

In 2000, Patti LaBelle released her final MCA album, When a Woman Loves.

2003: Divorced Armstead Edwards

In 2003, Patti LaBelle's divorce from Armstead Edwards was finalized, marking the end of their marriage.

2004: Released "Timeless Journey" album and headlined VH1 Divas

In 2004, Patti LaBelle released the album, Timeless Journey, after signing with Def Soul Classics. During the album's promotional period, she headlined VH1 Divas for the first time.

2005: Released "Classic Moments" album and collaborated with Olivia Newton-John

In 2005, Patti LaBelle released her covers album, Classic Moments. That same year, she collaborated with Olivia Newton-John on Newton-John's album Stronger Than Before.

2006: Received Legend Award and released first gospel album

In 2006, Patti LaBelle was awarded the Legend Award at the World Music Awards. She also released her first gospel album, The Gospel According to Patti LaBelle, which later peaked at number one on Billboard's gospel chart. She also released the book, Patti's Pearls, during this period.

Patti's Pearls: Lessons in Living Genuinely, Joyfully, Generously

Check it on Amazon

2007: Released "Miss Patti's Christmas" album

In 2007, Patti LaBelle returned to Def Jam and released her second holiday album, Miss Patti's Christmas.

2008: Reunited with Labelle for "Back to Now" album

In 2008, Patti LaBelle briefly reunited with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash as Labelle, releasing the group's first new album in more than 30 years, titled Back to Now.

September 14, 2010: Starred in Broadway musical "Fela!"

On September 14, 2010, Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway after two decades, starring in the musical Fela! She took over the role of Fela's mother, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

2010: Settled lawsuit regarding incident at Trump Place Apartments

In 2010, Patti LaBelle agreed to a settlement of $100,000 to avoid a trial after yelling at a woman and spilling water on her baby in the lobby of the Trump Place Apartments in Manhattan. The family donated the award to a charity.

January 2, 2011: Final Performance in "Fela!"

On January 2, 2011, Patti LaBelle's run with the Broadway production of "Fela!" came to an end.

May 23, 2011: Appeared on "Oprah's Farewell Spectacular"

On May 23, 2011, Patti LaBelle appeared on "Oprah's Farewell Spectacular, Part 1," the first show in a three-part series marking the finale of The Oprah Winfrey Show. She sang "Over the Rainbow" with Josh Groban.

June 2011: Civil suit filed against LaBelle by West Point cadet

In June 2011, a West Point cadet filed a civil suit against Patti LaBelle, alleging he was assaulted by her bodyguards at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The cadet claimed the entourage attacked him, causing a concussion, while LaBelle's entourage said he provoked the attack.

June 26, 2011: Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at BET Awards

On June 26, 2011, Patti LaBelle was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.

2012: Toured with Frankie Beverly & Maze

In 2012, Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.

November 12, 2013: Bodyguard acquitted of misdemeanor assault

On November 12, 2013, Efrem Holmes, Patti LaBelle's bodyguard, was acquitted of misdemeanor assault stemming from the incident at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, in June 2011.

March 6, 2014: Performed at "Women of Soul" concert at the White House

On March 6, 2014, Patti LaBelle, along with Aretha Franklin and others, performed at the "Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House" concert, hosted by President Barack Obama at the White House.

June 10, 2014: Returned to Broadway in "After Midnight"

On June 10, 2014, Patti LaBelle returned to Broadway as a "Special Guest Star" in the Tony Award-nominated musical "After Midnight."

2014: Toured with Frankie Beverly & Maze

In 2014, Patti LaBelle appeared with Frankie Beverly & Maze on cross-country U.S. tours.

2015: Competed on "Dancing with the Stars" and appeared on "Empire"

In 2015, Patti LaBelle competed on the 20th season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Artem Chigvintsev, finishing in eighth place. She also made a guest appearance as herself on Fox's television series Empire.

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2015: Sweet potato pies went viral

In late 2015, Patti LaBelle's brand of sweet potato pies gained significant attention after a vlogger's enthusiastic review on YouTube went viral. The pies sold rapidly at Walmart, selling out at stores across the country. LaBelle has appeared in Walmart commercials and an Old Spice commercial also.

2016: Headlined VH1 Divas Holiday concert

In 2016, Patti LaBelle returned to the VH1 Divas stage, headlining a holiday-themed concert alongside Chaka Khan, Vanessa Williams, and Mariah Carey.

2017: Released "Bel Hommage" jazz album

In 2017, Patti LaBelle's first jazz album, Bel Hommage, was released.

2017: Spoke about LGBT support

In a 2017 interview, Patti LaBelle discussed her strong support from and relationship with her LGBT fans, acknowledging their role in her enduring career.

2018: Appeared in recurring TV roles

In 2018, Patti LaBelle began appearing in recurring roles on the television series Daytime Divas, Greenleaf and Star.

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July 2, 2019: Honored with "Patti LaBelle Way" in Philadelphia

On July 2, 2019, Patti LaBelle was honored in Philadelphia with her own street name, Patti LaBelle Way, between Locust and Spruce Street.

September 2020: Participated in Verzuz webcast series

In September 2020, Patti LaBelle participated in the American webcast series Verzuz, live from The Fillmore in Philadelphia, alongside Gladys Knight, with Dionne Warwick making a surprise appearance.

December 10, 2022: Christmas concert disrupted by bomb threat

On December 10, 2022, Patti LaBelle's Christmas concert in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was disrupted due to a bomb threat, leading to the venue's evacuation.

2024: Announced new album and tour

In 2024, while celebrating her 80th birthday, Patti LaBelle revealed the release of a new album, 8065, commemorating her 80 years of life and 65 years in music. Shortly after, she announced a tour of the same name, starting on July 7 in Los Angeles.