Alison Krauss is an American singer, songwriter and musician best known for her angelic voice, her mastery of the fiddle and bluegrass and for songs including When You Say Nothing at All, Whiskey Lullaby and Raising Sand. With her crystal-clear soprano, her gift for harmony singing and her talent for crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universal, Krauss has built a career that spans more than four decades, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest bluegrass musicians in American music.
| Full Name | Alison Maria Krauss |
| Date of Birth | July 23, 1971 |
| Age | 55 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Decatur, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, musician |
| Known For | When You Say Nothing at All, Raising Sand, Union Station |
| Children | One son, Sam |
| Net Worth | Approx. $16 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Alison Krauss?
Alison Krauss is a musician who became one of the biggest stars in American music. She first found fame as a child prodigy, winning fiddle contests as a teenager, and she went on to record her debut album Too Late to Cry in 1987, which included the hit Too Late to Cry, and Two Highways in 1989, which included Two Highways.
Krauss also had a successful career as a recording artist, with hits including When You Say Nothing at All in 1995, Whiskey Lullaby in 2004 and Let Me Touch You for Awhile in 2000. She won twenty-seven Grammy Awards, more than any other female artist, and she was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
Early Life & Background
Alison Maria Krauss was born on July 23, 1971, in Decatur, Illinois, the daughter of a German immigrant father, and she grew up in Champaign, Illinois, where she attended Champaign Central High School. She began playing violin as a child, taking lessons at the age of five, and she won her first fiddle contest at the age of eight.
After graduating from high school, Krauss attended the University of Illinois, where she studied, and she signed with Rounder Records in 1985, recording her debut album Too Late to Cry in 1987. She then formed the band Union Station in 1987.
She has one son, Sam, from her marriage to Pat Bergeson, and she has been divorced since 2001. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and she is known for her love of bluegrass music and for her work with the organisation MusiCares, a charity that supports musicians in need.
Career
Krauss’s breakthrough came in 1995, when she released Now That I’ve Found You: A Collection, which included the hit When You Say Nothing at All. The album was a huge success, and Krauss went on to record So Long So Wrong in 1997, which included It Doesn’t Matter, and Forget About It in 1999, which included Forget About It.
After Forget About It, Krauss released New Favorite in 2001, which included the hit Let Me Touch You for Awhile, and she recorded Raising Sand in 2007 with Robert Plant, which won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. She has continued to record and perform, and she remains one of the most beloved musicians in American music.
Like fellow bluegrass and country stars Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, Krauss is known for a career that spans decades and for the craft and innovation she brings to every performance. She continues to record and perform, and she remains one of the most beloved musicians in American music.
Facts About Alison Krauss
- Alison Krauss has won twenty-seven Grammy Awards, more than any other female artist.
- She was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2021.
- She was born Alison Maria Krauss in Decatur, Illinois, in 1971.
- Her album Raising Sand with Robert Plant won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, in 2009.
- She has one son, Sam, from her marriage to Pat Bergeson.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Alison Krauss?
Alison Krauss was born on July 23, 1971, which makes her 55 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Alison Krauss?
Alison Krauss is 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.68 metres).
What is Alison Krauss’s net worth?
Alison Krauss’s net worth is estimated at approximately $16 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Alison Krauss best known for?
Alison Krauss is best known for When You Say Nothing at All and Raising Sand.