The Final Years

By the late 1950s, Billie Holiday's health was rapidly deteriorating. The years of drug abuse and hard living had taken their toll. Despite her waning health, the singer continued to perform and the FBI continued to hunt her. In 1959, she was admitted to a hospital in New York City, where she was once again arrested for drug possession. Jonathan Schwartz has the story of the final years of Holiday's life. 

The Jonathan Channel is celebrating Billie Holiday’s 100th birthday throughout April with “A Centennial Holiday: 100 Years of Lady Day." Hear the songs that made her a star and the stories that made her a legend - this month on The Jonathan Channel.