Patricia Louise Holte is born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She will rise to international fame under the name Patti LaBelle, becoming one of the most influential voices in American music. In the early 1960s, she organizes and leads the girl group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which gains popularity with hits like “I Sold My Heart to the Junkman.”

By the 1970s, the group reinvents itself as the trailblazing funk-rock trio LaBelle, teaming with Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash. Their 1974 anthem “Lady Marmalade” breaks barriers and tops the Billboard charts, becoming a cultural landmark.

In 1976, Patti LaBelle embarks on a solo career that cements her as the “Godmother of Soul,” earning acclaim for her powerhouse vocals and hits such as “New Attitude,” “If Only You Knew,” and “On My Own.” Her influence spans genres, and she becomes a beloved figure not only in music, but also in television, food, and philanthropy.