Billy Tipton
Billy Tipton, (December 29 1914 - 1989), was a jazz pianist and saxophonist who lived her life as a male musician.
Dorothy Lucille Tipton was born in Oklahoma City, USA. In 1933 she took a role of a male musician and finally got into a band in Kansas City. During the Great Depression and World War Two, she played in small bands all over the USA. After her career she settled down as an entertainment agent in Spokane, Washington.
Married four times, she told each of her wives that she had been in a grave car accident that had left her with unhealed ribs, genital disfigurement and sterility. She also adopted three boys. Her parents and one cousin apparently knew the truth.
In 1989 she suffered from hemorrhaging ulcers and refused to call a doctor. After her death, the coroner told her family the truth. None of her adopted sons, ex-wives, associates or band members have admitted to previously knowing her birth assigned gender.
Books:
- Diane Wood Middlebrook: Suits Me - The Double Life of Billy Tipton
External Links
Billy Tipton timeline: http://www.dianemiddlebrook.com/tipton/timeline/frames.html
Referenced By
1914 | 29 December | 29th December | Dec. 29 | December 29 | December 29th | Famous transgendered people | Famous women in history | Imposter | Impostor | List of people by name: Ti | List of transgender people | List of transgendered people | May 1914
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