Natalie Merchant Height, Weight, Age, Body Statistics

Natalie Merchant is an American singer and lyricist who was the lead singer and songwriter for the folk-rock band 10,000 Maniacs from 1981 to 1993. She left the group in 1993 to embark on a solo career and has released numerous studio albums since then. Natalie is also a philanthropist and has donated for several women’s and children’s causes.

Born Name

Natalie Anne Merchant

Nick Name

Whirling Dervish, Gnat

Sun Sign

Scorpio

Born Place

Jamestown, New York, United States

Residence

New York, United States

Nationality

Education

Natalie dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and attended Jamestown Community College of The State University of New York, where she attained an Associate’s degree.

Occupation

Singer, Songwriter

Family

• Father – Anthony Merchant (Jazz Musician)
• Mother – Anne Meyer Merchant (Shop Owner)
• Siblings – Jude Merchant (Younger Brother) (Serviceman), Bernadette Merchant (Older Sister), Christopher Anthony Merchant (Older Brother)

Manager

She is represented by –

• Scott Morris, Booking Agent, Creative Artist Agency, Los Angeles, California, United States
• Tim Fox, Booking Agent, Columbia Artists Management Inc., New York City, New York, United States
• Melissa Cusick and Matthew Rankin, Publicist, Nonesuch Records, Burbank, California, United States

Genre

Alternative Rock, Pop, Americana, Folk

Instruments

Vocals, Keyboard, Piano

Labels

• Elektra Records
• Myth America Records
• Nonesuch/Elektra Records

Build

Average

Height

5 ft 1 in or 155 cm

Weight

59 kg or 130 lbs

Boyfriend / Spouse

Natalie has dated –

1. Michael Stipe (1983–1993)
2. Daniel de la Calle (2003–2012) – Natalie married photographer Daniel de la Calle in 2003 and gave birth to a daughter named Lucia in the same year. The couple got divorced in 2012.

Race / Ethnicity

Caucasian

She is of Italian ancestry on her father’s side and of Irish ancestry on her mother’s side.

Hair Color

Gray

Eye Color

Hazel

Sexual Orientation

Straight

Distinctive Features

• Long, straight hair
• Stocky frame
• Charming smile
• Deep, enchanting voice

Religion

Agnostic Atheism

Natalie Merchant Favorite Things

• Travel Destinations – Malaga, Hawaii
• City – Kyoto
• Artist – Leonardo da Vinci

Source – IMDb

Natalie Merchant Facts

1. Natalie’s mother was a classical music enthusiast and would often take her to concerts and operas and would encourage her to study music.
2. At the age of 16, she had started working at a health food store and was considering a career in special education for disabled children. However, in 1981, she got an opportunity to sing for a band named Still Life, kick-starting her music career. The band later changed its name to 10,000 Maniacs.
3. Natalie became the lead singer and songwriter for 10,000 Maniacs and recorded seven albums with the band from 1981 to 1993. Her last recording with the group was a cover of Bruce Springsteen‘s song titled Because the Night. It reached up to number 11 in the singles chart, the band’s highest-charting song ever.
4. After separating from 10,000 Maniacs, Natalie released her first album titled Tigerlily in 1995. The album went on to sell more than 5 million copies.
5. In 1998, she contributed in the making of an album titled Mermaid Avenue that was aimed as a tribute to iconic musician Woody Guthrie.
6. Her hobbies include gardening and painting. She often uploads her paintings on her official website.
7. She is a vegetarian, an environmentalist, and prefers living in the countryside.
8. Natalie and actor Mark Ruffalo organized a concert in 2012 to protest against oil and gas fracking in New York state.
9. In 2013, she directed a short documentary titled Shelter: A Concert Film to Benefit Victims of Domestic Violence. She was inspired by One Billion Rising which is a campaign against domestic violence. She is also a member of the charitable organization, Artists Against Racism.
10. Natalie often volunteers as a crafts teacher at several shelters for homeless children in the Harlem neighborhood of New York.
11. She can write left-handed, upside-down and backward; inspired by her childhood fascination with Leonardo da Vinci.
12. In May 2014, Natalie released her eponymous album.
13. In 2017, she released Butterfly, which is a collection of orchestral versions of her previously recorded songs.
14. In April 2023, she released her 8th studio album titled Keep Your Courage.

Featured Image by Justin Higuchi / Flickr / CC BY-2.0