Minnie Riperton Biography: Cause of Death, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Songs, Albums, Singles, Children, Husband

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Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph was an American soul singer and songwriter who rose to prominence in the 1970s.

She was best known for her 1975 single “Lovin’ You,” which showcased her remarkable five-octave vocal range and skilled use of the whistle register.

Riperton began studying music, drama, and dance at a young age and attended the prestigious Abraham Lincoln Center in her hometown.

Her early training and natural talent laid the foundation for the exceptional vocal abilities she would later demonstrate professionally.

Profile

• Full Name: Minnie Julia Riperton
• Stage Name: Minnie Riperton
• Born: November 8, 1947
• Death date: July 12, 1979
• Age: 31 years old
• Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American soul singer and songwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Thelma Riperton and Daniel Riperton
• Siblings: Sandra Riperton
• Spouse: Richard Rudolph (m. 1970–1979)
• Children: Maya Rudolph and Marc Rudolph
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life And Education

Minnie Julia Riperton was born on November 8, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She was the daughter of Thelma Inez (née Matthews) and Daniel Webster Riperton, a Pullman porter.

Minnie was the youngest of eight children in her family, which included her sister Sandra Riperton. Riperton received her early education in the arts at the Abraham Lincoln Center in Chicago, where she studied music, drama, and dance.

After graduating from Hyde Park High School (now Hyde Park Academy High School), she enrolled at Loop College, now named Harold Washington College, and became a Zeta Phi Beta sorority member.

However, she ultimately decided to drop out of college to pursue her music career. Minnie Riperton was of African American ethnicity and practiced Christianity as her religion.  

Career

Minnie Riperton’s first professional singing engagement was with the Chicago-based girl group The Gems when she was just 15 years old. Raynard Miner, a blind pianist, had heard Riperton singing with the A Cappella Choir at Hyde Park and became her musical patron, helping to support her musical education.

As a child, Riperton studied music, drama, and dance at Chicago’s Abraham Lincoln Center, laying the foundation for her future success.

In her teenage years, Riperton continued to hone her craft as the lead vocalist for The Gems.

This early professional experience afforded her the opportunity to provide backing vocals for several established artists, including Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters.

The Gems eventually became known as the session group Studio Three, and during this period, they contributed the backing vocals to Fontella Bass’s classic 1965 hit, “Rescue Me.”

In 1964, The Gems released a local hit with “I Can’t Help Myself,” their final single, “He Makes Me Feel So Good,” was released the following year. In 1966, shortly after her solo singles, Andrea Davis began receiving radio play,

Riperton joined the funky rock-soul group Rotary Connection, which was created by Marshall Chess, the son of Chess Records founder Leonard Chess. Rotary Connection, which consisted of Riperton, Chess, Judy Hauff, Sidney Barnes, and Charles Stepney, released six albums between 1968 and 1971.

While part of Rotary Connection, Riperton also sang lead vocals for the psychedelic soul band of the same name from 1967 to 1971. During this time, she released her debut solo album, “Come to My Garden,” in 1970, which was produced, arranged, and orchestrated by her Rotary Connection bandmate, Charles Stepney.

Riperton’s breakthrough came in 1975 with her No. 1 single “Lovin’ You,” the last release from her gold album “Perfect Angel.” Tragically, just a year later, in January 1976, Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy in April of that year.

Following her success with “Perfect Angel,” Riperton and her husband, songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph, collaborated on her third album, “Adventures in Paradise” (1975). The title track was co-written by Joe Sample of The Crusaders. Riperton’s fourth album, “Stay in Love” (1977), included another Stevie Wonder collaboration, the funky disco tune “Stick Together.”

Social Media

Minnie Riperton does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Minnie Riperton was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph from August 1970 until her untimely death in July 1979. Together, they had two children. Their first child was music engineer Marc Rudolph, born in 1968.

Their second child was actress and comedian Maya Rudolph, born in 1972 and became a cast member of the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live from 2000 to 2007. However, Minnie Riperton tragically passed away on July 12, 1979, at the age of 31, due to breast cancer.  

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Come to My Garden (1970)
• Perfect Angel (1974)
• Adventures in Paradise (1975)
• Stay in Love (1977)
• Minnie (1979)
• Love Lives Forever (1980)

Compilations:

• The Best of Minnie Riperton (1981)
• Her Chess Years (1997)
• Petals: The Minnie Riperton Collection (2001)
• Les Fleurs: The Minnie Riperton Anthology (2001)
• The Best of Minnie Riperton: Anthology (2002)
• Minnie Riperton: Legends (2010)
• Only When I’m Dreaming (2012)

Singles:

• Lovin’ You (1974)
• Inside My Love (1975)
• Baby, This Love I Have (1975)
• I’m a Woman (1976)
• Memory Lane (1979)
• Lover and Friend (1979)
• Light My Fire (1979)
• Stick Together (1977)

Net Worth

At the time of her untimely passing in 1979, Minnie Riperton, the renowned American singer-songwriter, had an estimated net worth of around $3 million.

This substantial wealth was primarily attributed to her highly successful music career, particularly the immense popularity and commercial success of her iconic hit single, “Lovin’ You.”

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