Born as Eleanora Fagan, her early life was a misfortune. Billie’s mother was Sadie Fagan, who was ousted from her family due to being pregnant with Billie at the tender age of eighteen. Her father was, Clarence Holiday, also a jazz guitarist in Fletcher Henderson’s band. Both of her parents were young when they had her. It wasn’t long before Clarence left them to travel with his band rather than take care of Billie and her mom. In 1920 Billie’s mother, Sadie married Philip Gough, which allowed Billie to have a stable home awhile. A few years later the marriage ended, and Billie was sent to the House of Good Shepard’s, that was only for African American women. At the age of 11, Billie was raped by a neighbor. Although, the assaulter was only sent to 3 months in prison, Billie also was sent back to the facility. It is recorded that she once had to spend a night with a dead girl as a punishment. Meanwhile, her father still drifted in and out of her life. …show more content…
Sadie and Billie began working at a brothel to make rent. At the time Billie was only fourteen and was arrested for prostitution for claiming she was twenty-one. She was again sent to another home for a hundred days. Her harsh life led her to find solace in other things such as her music. Although Billie had an amazing career as a jazz musician, she had a very small vocal range, but she knew how to use it to her advantage. Billie then adopted the name Billie from her favorite actress Billie Dove and the last name of her father. Billie’s career suddenly took off at the age of 18, when John Hammond discovered her at A Harlem Jazz club. He was astonished by her improvising singing and talented voice. Soon she was working with Benny Goodman creating her first hit record “Your Mother’s