Leonard Cohen Biography: Parents, Children, Songs, Age, Net Worth, Wife, Singles, Death
December 23, 2024Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, novelist, and painter whose work explored themes of love, spirituality, politics, and the human condition.
His hauntingly profound lyrics and deep, resonant voice brought him international fame, with his song “Hallelujah” becoming one of his most iconic works, covered by numerous artists worldwide.
Cohen’s multi-faceted talents established him as a revered cultural figure, blending literature and music in unique and unforgettable ways.
Profile
- Full name: Leonard Norman Cohen
- Date of birth: September 21, 1934
- Age: Deceased (Would be 90)
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: Westmount, Quebec, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian
- Profession: Singer, songwriter, poet, novelist, painter
- Height: N/A
- Parents: Nathan Cohen ,Marsha Klonitsky
- Siblings: One sister, Esther Cohen
- Spouse: N/A
- Children: Adam Cohen, Lorca Cohen
- Relationship status: Single at the time of death
- Religion: Jewish
- Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
- Net worth: $50 million
Early Life and Education
Leonard Norman Cohen, born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, was the son of Nathan Cohen, a clothing store owner, and Marsha Klonitsky.
He belonged to an Ashkenazi Jewish family with roots in Poland and Lithuania. Cohen’s father passed away when he was just nine years old, a loss that deeply impacted him.
He was raised in a middle-class household alongside his sister Esther.
Cohen attended Roslyn Elementary School and later Westmount High School, where he developed an early interest in poetry and music.
He learned to play the guitar as a teenager, inspired by a flamenco guitarist he encountered. After high school, he enrolled at McGill University, where he studied English literature.
At McGill, he published his first poetry collection, “Let Us Compare Mythologies,” in 1956. Cohen also attended Columbia University in New York for a brief period, exploring his literary and intellectual pursuits.
Personal Life
Leonard Cohen never married but had two children, Adam and Lorca, with his partner Suzanne Elrod. The relationship eventually ended, though they maintained a bond as co-parents.
Cohen had several notable romantic relationships with Marianne Ihlen, the muse for his song “So Long, Marianne,” and actress Rebecca De Mornay.
Cohen was intensely private about his personal life, yet his relationships and spiritual exploration often found their way into his art.
In the 1990s, he spent time in a Zen Buddhist monastery, which reflected his lifelong interest in spirituality and introspection.
Career
Cohen began his career as a poet and novelist in the 1950s and 1960s, publishing works such as “The Spice-Box of Earth” and the novels “The Favourite Game” and “Beautiful Losers.”
However, his transition to music in the late 1960s marked a pivotal point. His debut album, “Songs of Leonard Cohen” (1967), included enduring tracks like “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne.”
Over the years, Cohen released numerous acclaimed albums, including “Songs of Love and Hate,” “Various Positions,” and “I’m Your Man.”
“Hallelujah,” released in 1984, became his signature song, achieving immense global recognition. Cohen’s later years saw a resurgence in his career with albums like “Old Ideas” and “You Want It Darker,” the latter released shortly before his death.
Awards
- Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1991)
- Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame (2006)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2008)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)
- Glenn Gould Prize (2011)
Net Worth
Leonard Cohen’s net worth is estimated at $50 million.
His wealth was accumulated through his successful music career, literary works, and royalties from songs like “Hallelujah,” which remains one of the most covered songs in modern music history.
Death
Leonard Cohen died on November 7, 2016, in Los Angeles, California, at 82.
His death was attributed to leukaemia and complications from a fall. He was buried in Montreal with a Jewish ceremony by his wishes.
Social Media
- Instagram: N/A
- Twitter: N/A
Discography
- Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967)
- Songs from a Room (1969)
- Songs of Love and Hate (1971)
- New Skin for the Old Ceremony (1974)
- Various Positions (1984)
- I’m Your Man (1988)
- The Future (1992)
- Ten New Songs (2001)
- Dear Heather (2004)
- Old Ideas (2012)
- Popular Problems (2014)
- You Want It Darker (2016)
Books
- Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956)
- The Favourite Game (1963)
- Beautiful Losers (1966)
- Death of a Lady’s Man (1978)
- Book of Mercy (1984)
- Stranger Music (1993)
- Book of Longing (2006).
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