Jessye Norman, One of the Greatest Opera Superstars of All Time, Has Died at Age 74, Winner of Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award

I’ve just received this note from my PR pal Gwendolyn Quinn. What a shame to learn that Jessye Norman passed away. She was a superstar.

“It is with deep sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of international opera star Jessye Norman, in a statement issued by Norman’s family through the family’s spokesperson, Gwendolyn Quinn.

Norman, 74 years old, passed away today, Monday, September 30, 2019, at 7:54 a.m. ET at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital in New York, NY, where she was surrounded by loved ones. The official cause of death was septic shock and multi-organ failure secondary to complications of a spinal cord injury she had sustained in 2015.

Norman was the eldest of two remaining siblings, James Norman and Elaine Sturkey, from a total of five children. “We are so proud of Jessye’s musical achievements and the inspiration that she provided to audiences around the world that will continue to be a source of joy. We are equally proud of her humanitarian endeavors addressing matters such as hunger, homelessness, youth development, and arts and culture education.”

I can tell you additionally Aretha Franklin loved and admired her. I was lucky to meet Miss Norman a few times, and was always awed in her presence. She won at least 4 regular Grammy Awards and received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Her voice lives on in dozens of important recordings and video/TV appearances.