Miriam Makeba South African Singer From Johannesburg
Miriam Makeba · singer and actor · Guinean
Known for
Latest Videos From Miriam Makeba’s YouTube Channel
Ngoma Kurila (Live)
Congas (Live)
I Shall Sing (Live)
West Wind (Live)
U. Shaka (Live)
Miriam Makeba on Social Media
Counts with the date they were readBiography
Miriam Makeba was a South African singer born on 4 March 1932 in Johannesburg. She died on 9 November 2008, aged 76. The recorded cause of death is myocardial infarction. Her best-known title on this site is American Masters (1986).
Career
The records show 27 albums and one single released between 1960 and 2004. The first title in the list is Miriam Makeba (1960); the latest is Reflections (2004). Listed genres include marabi and rock music. Releases appeared through Strut Records.
Recognition
In 2002, she won the Commander of the Legion of Honour. She also won the Polar Music Prize (2002) and the honorary degree from Spelman College (1991). Miriam Makeba also earned a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1961. Awards come to 8 wins and 2 nominations in total.
Personal life
Marriages on record are to Hugh Masekela (1964 to 1966) and Stokely Carmichael (1969 to 1978). She was the mother of Bongi Makeba.
Discography
28 releases| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Reflections | Album |
| 2003 | The Best of Miriam Makeba & The Skylarks | Album |
| 2001 | Mama Africa: The Very Best of Miriam Makeba | Album |
| 2000 | Homeland | Album |
| 1994 | Sing Me a Song | Album |
| 1991 | Africa | Album |
| 1991 | Eyes on Tomorrow | Album |
| 1990 | Welela | Album |
| 1988 | Sangoma | Album |
| 1987 | The Queen of African Music | Album |
| 1979 | Comme une symphonie d'amour | Album |
| 1978 | Country Girl | Album |
| 1975 | Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba | Album |
| 1975 | Miriam Makeba & Bongi | Album |
| 1974 | A Promise | Album |
Show all 28 releases
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Keep Me in Mind | Album |
| 1968 | Makeba! | Album |
| 1967 | Pata Pata | Album |
| 1967 | Pata Pata / The Ballad of the Sad Young Men | Single |
| 1966 | All About Miriam | Album |
| 1966 | The Magnificent Miriam Makeba | Album |
| 1965 | An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba | Album |
| 1965 | The Magic of Makeba | Album |
| 1964 | Makeba Sings! | Album |
| 1964 | The Voice of Africa | Album |
| 1963 | The World of Miriam Makeba | Album |
| 1962 | The Many Voices of Miriam Makeba | Album |
| 1960 | Miriam Makeba | Album |
Awards and nominations
8 won, 2 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Order of Ikhamanga in Gold | Won | |
| 2003 | Order for Meritorious Service | Won | |
| 2002 | Commander of the Legion of Honour | Won | |
| 2002 | Polar Music Prize | Won | |
| 2001 | Otto Hahn Peace Medal | Won | |
| 1991 | honorary degree from Spelman College | Won | |
| Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres | Won | ||
| South African Music Awards | Won | ||
| 2001 | Grammy Award for Best Global Music Album | Homeland | Nominated |
| 1961 | Grammy Award for Best New Artist | Nominated |
Filmography
7 credits| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Mama Africa – Miriam Makeba | Film | |
| 1996 | When We Were Kings | Film | |
| 1992 | Sarafina! | Film | |
| 1989 | Have You Seen Drum Recently? | Film | |
| 1986– | American Masters | TV series | |
| 1983 | Amok | Film | |
| 1960 | Come Back, Africa | Film |
Miriam Makeba Photos
-
Photo: Tom Beetz · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Roland Godefroy · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Bernard Gotfryd · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Anefo · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: Rob Mieremet · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons -
Photo: ליאורה סלוצקי (אורי) · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
How old was Miriam Makeba at the time of death?
Miriam Makeba died on 9 November 2008 at the age of 76. She was born on 4 March 1932.
What was Miriam Makeba’s cause of death?
According to Wikidata, Miriam Makeba died on 9 November 2008; the recorded cause of death is myocardial infarction.
What is Miriam Makeba known for?
Miriam Makeba was known for American Masters (1986).
What is Miriam Makeba’s nationality?
Miriam Makeba was South African, born in Johannesburg.
Who was Miriam Makeba married to?
Miriam Makeba’s marriages on record are to Stokely Carmichael (1969 to 1978) and Hugh Masekela (1964 to 1966).
Has Miriam Makeba won any awards?
Yes. 8 awards are on record, including Order of Ikhamanga in Gold (2009).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q146256), accessed October 2026
- Follower counts: dated individually above
- YouTube: video titles and publish dates
- Photo: Paul Weinberg · CC BY-SA 3.0
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
About this profile
Is this you, or do you represent this person? You can suggest a correction, claim this profile, or ask us to remove the profile or specific information on it.
Related people
Whoopi Goldberg
Co-star in Sarafina!
James Dean
Co-star in American Masters
Aretha Franklin
Co-star in American Masters
Whitney Houston
Co-star in American Masters
James Brown
Co-star in American Masters
Naomi Sharon
Also born on 4 March
Johnny Cash
Also born in 1932
Beluga
Also born on 4 March
Paul Newman
Co-star in American Masters
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Co-star in American Masters
