was portrayed by Beyoncé in the movie, "Cadillac Records."
Etta James performing at club BB KINGS in New York City on May 11, 2009. | Photo: Getty Images
ETTA JAMES
Etta James was born Jamsetta Hawkins on January 25, 1938, to a fourteen-year-old mother who could not take care of her at the time. She had to grow up in foster care and never met her father throughout her life.
Due to the rough upbringing she had, Etta dabbled into drugs and became addicted to various harmful substances that saw her in and out of rehabilitation centers.
Portrait of African American singer Etta James, taken in Los Angeles, circa 1995. | Photo: Getty Images
In the later years, Etta suffered from various ailments such as dementia, Leukemia, a blood infection, and kidney problems that left her incapable of taking care of herself.
On January 20, 2012, five days before her 74th birthday, Etta passed away from complications of Leukemia. Her loss was one felt by all who admired her, and although things seemed rough between her family, she died with her husband and sons by her side.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jmtocm9manqqutKim55llanBonnJmqSeq12hrrTAjLKcmqqjYsGprdNmrp6qlWK6b7TTpqM%3D