Happy 75th Birthday, Bonnie Raitt! See the Accomplished Blues Singer's Life in Photos

Mar. 15, 2025

Bonnie Raitt in 1994.Photo:Lester Cohen/Getty

Lester Cohen/Getty

Bonnie Raittis celebrating her diamond birthday.The 13-timeGrammy Awardwinner turns 75 on Nov. 8, 2024. Over her five-decade career, the blues rock star has released 18 studio LPs, earned two No. 1 albums on theBillboard200 and sold 20 million records. She was also a frequent session musician, collaborating with artists including Warren Zevon, thePointer SistersandJackson Browne.As the singer hits a new milestone, see her life in photos, from her accolades to causes she holds close to her heart.

Bonnie Raittis celebrating her diamond birthday.

The 13-timeGrammy Awardwinner turns 75 on Nov. 8, 2024. Over her five-decade career, the blues rock star has released 18 studio LPs, earned two No. 1 albums on theBillboard200 and sold 20 million records. She was also a frequent session musician, collaborating with artists including Warren Zevon, thePointer SistersandJackson Browne.

As the singer hits a new milestone, see her life in photos, from her accolades to causes she holds close to her heart.

01of 08Bonnie Raitt’s Childhood(L-R) Bonnie Raitt, Marge Haydock, John Raitt, David Raitt and Steven Raitt.Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/GettyBonnie Raitt was born in Burbank, California, on Nov. 8, 1949, to pianist Marge Goddard and musical theater actor John Raitt. She grew up with two brothers, Steven and David.Raitt majored in social relations and African studies at Harvard University, but in her second year, she took a semester off to follow blues promoter Dick Waterman and fellow musicians to Philadelphia.Her experience led her to take another year off school to pursue music — and she never came back to Harvard.

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Bonnie Raitt’s Childhood

(L-R) Bonnie Raitt, Marge Haydock, John Raitt, David Raitt and Steven Raitt.Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Herb Ball/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty

Bonnie Raitt was born in Burbank, California, on Nov. 8, 1949, to pianist Marge Goddard and musical theater actor John Raitt. She grew up with two brothers, Steven and David.

Raitt majored in social relations and African studies at Harvard University, but in her second year, she took a semester off to follow blues promoter Dick Waterman and fellow musicians to Philadelphia.

Her experience led her to take another year off school to pursue music — and she never came back to Harvard.

02of 08Bonnie Raitt Releases Her Debut AlbumBonnie Raitt opens for The Byrds in 1971.Harvey L. Silver/Corbis via GettyWhile opening for blues artist Mississippi Fred McDowell, aNewsweekreporter spotted her, resulting in record company scouts coming out to hear her play. Raitt later signed with Warner Bros. and released her self-titled debut album in 1971.

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Bonnie Raitt Releases Her Debut Album

Bonnie Raitt opens for The Byrds in 1971.Harvey L. Silver/Corbis via Getty

Harvey L. Silver/Corbis via Getty

While opening for blues artist Mississippi Fred McDowell, aNewsweekreporter spotted her, resulting in record company scouts coming out to hear her play. Raitt later signed with Warner Bros. and released her self-titled debut album in 1971.

03of 08Bonnie Raitt Leaves Warner Bros.Bonnie Raitt in 1980.George Rose/GettyAfter several albums failed to live up to her record label Warner Bros.' commercial expectations, the studio dropped Raitt from their roster in 1983. At the time, she was also struggling with alcohol and substance abuse problems. In the late ‘80s, Raitt started psychotherapy and joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get sober.“I thought I had to live that partying lifestyle in order to be authentic, but in fact if you keep it up too long, all you’re going to be is sloppy or dead,” she toldParademagazine in 2012 after 25 years of sobriety.

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Bonnie Raitt Leaves Warner Bros.

Bonnie Raitt in 1980.George Rose/Getty

George Rose/Getty

After several albums failed to live up to her record label Warner Bros.' commercial expectations, the studio dropped Raitt from their roster in 1983. At the time, she was also struggling with alcohol and substance abuse problems. In the late ‘80s, Raitt started psychotherapy and joined Alcoholics Anonymous to get sober.

“I thought I had to live that partying lifestyle in order to be authentic, but in fact if you keep it up too long, all you’re going to be is sloppy or dead,” she toldParademagazine in 2012 after 25 years of sobriety.

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Bonnie Raitt Wins Album of the Year

Bonnie Raitt wins album of the year at the 32nd Grammy Awards on Feb. 21, 1990.CBS via Getty

CBS via Getty

In 1989, Raitt had a commercial resurgence with her 10th studio albumNick of Time. The record hit No. 1 on theBillboard200 and won her album of the year at the 32nd Grammy Awards.

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Bonnie Raitt’s Marriage to Michael O’Keefe

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Raitt marriedAcademy Award-nominated actor Michael O’Keefe on April 27, 1991. In a February 199960 Minutesinterview, Raitt said that her marriage to O’Keefe had been a “humbling experience.” The pair announced their divorce later that year, on Nov. 9, 1999.

“Their different professions drove them apart,” a friend of the pair told PEOPLE following the 1999 split. “But for a while they did try to make it work.”

The source added, “They supported each other. It seemed like a good match.”

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Bonnie Raitt’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Bonnie Raitt is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 6, 2000.AP Photo/Ed Betz

AP Photo/Ed Betz

On her first nomination, Raitt was voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 alongsideJames Taylor,Eric Clapton,Earth, Wind & Fireand more.

The artist added, “Nobody gets up here who wasn’t obsessed [with music], didn’t worry their parents, didn’t mess up their relationships — and if they did it right, probably their health as well. It’s the thing that still drives me, and it always will.”

07of 08Bonnie Raitt’s Political ActivismBonnie Raitt supports Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards in Manchester, New Hampshire.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via GettyThroughout her career, Raitt has stayed involved in politics. Her second album, 1972’sGive It Up, had a dedication to the people of North Vietnam on the back, and she was a founding member of Musicians United for Safe Energy in 1979. The “Something to Talk About” singer was also involved in the anti-nuclear movement, joining civil disobedience groups like the Abalone Alliance and Alliance for Survival.During the 2008 Democratic primaries, Raitt supported candidate John Edwards until he suspended his campaign to accept the vice presidential nomination. In 2016, Raitt endorsedBernie Sandersfor the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

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Bonnie Raitt’s Political Activism

Bonnie Raitt supports Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards in Manchester, New Hampshire.Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty

Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty

Throughout her career, Raitt has stayed involved in politics. Her second album, 1972’sGive It Up, had a dedication to the people of North Vietnam on the back, and she was a founding member of Musicians United for Safe Energy in 1979. The “Something to Talk About” singer was also involved in the anti-nuclear movement, joining civil disobedience groups like the Abalone Alliance and Alliance for Survival.

During the 2008 Democratic primaries, Raitt supported candidate John Edwards until he suspended his campaign to accept the vice presidential nomination. In 2016, Raitt endorsedBernie Sandersfor the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee.

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Bonnie Raitt Wins Song of the Year

Bonnie Raitt wins song of the year for ‘Just Like That…’ at the 65th Grammy Awards on Feb. 5, 2023 in L.A.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

In 2023, 33 years after her album of the year victory, Raitt took home her second general field Grammy. The blues legendwon song of the yearfor “Just Like That” in a category that included Adele’s “Easy on Me,”Taylor Swift’s“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)”andBeyoncé’s“Break My Soul.”

She continued, “I don’t write a lot of songs but I’m so proud that you appreciate this one."

source: people.com