Peggy Lee (born Norma Deloris Egstrom; May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer and actress, in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and performer. She wrote music for films, acted, and created conceptual record albums—encompassing poetry, jazz, chamber pop, and art songs.

Biography

Lee was married four times; each marriage ended in divorce:


Guitarist and composer Dave Barbour (1943–1951); daughter Nicki Lee Foster (1943 - 2014)
Actor Brad Dexter (1953)
Actor Dewey Martin (1956–1958)
Bandleader and percussionist Jack Del Rio (1964–1965)
Retirement and death

In addition to owning a Sparks, Nevada restaurant called the 50 Yard Line, Miss Lee continued to perform into the 1990s, sometimes in a wheelchair. After years of poor health, Lee died of complications from diabetes and a heart attack at age 81. She was buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles' Westwood, Los Angeles, California neighborhood. On her marker in a garden setting is inscribed, "Music is my life's breath."

Best films