Bonnie Raitt is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for her soulful voice, her slide guitar playing and for hits including Something to Talk About, I Can’t Make You Love Me and Nick of Time. With her bluesy vocals, her mastery of the slide guitar and her talent for crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universal, Raitt has built a career that spans more than five decades, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest blues musicians in American music.
| Full Name | Bonnie Lynn Raitt |
| Date of Birth | November 8, 1949 |
| Age | 77 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Burbank, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, guitarist |
| Known For | Something to Talk About, Nick of Time, I Can’t Make You Love Me |
| Net Worth | Approx. $12 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Bonnie Raitt?
Bonnie Raitt is a musician who became one of the biggest stars in American music. She first found fame with her debut album Bonnie Raitt in 1971, and she went on to record Give It Up in 1972, which included the hit Love Me Like a Man, and Takin’ My Time in 1973, which included Angel from Montgomery.
Raitt also had a successful career as a recording artist, with hits including Something to Talk About in 1991, I Can’t Make You Love Me in 1991 and Love Sneakin’ Up On You in 1994. She won thirteen Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Nick of Time in 1990, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
Early Life & Background
Bonnie Lynn Raitt was born on November 8, 1949, in Burbank, California, the daughter of Broadway star John Raitt, and she grew up in Los Angeles, where she attended Oakwood School. She began playing guitar as a teenager, teaching herself to play by ear, and she attended Radcliffe College, where she studied African studies.
After leaving Radcliffe, Raitt moved to Philadelphia, where she worked as a folk singer, performing in coffeehouses, and she signed with Warner Bros. Records in 1971, recording her debut album Bonnie Raitt. She then recorded Give It Up in 1972.
She was married to actor Michael O’Keefe from 1991 to 1999, and she has no children. She lives in California, and she is known for her love of the environment and for her work with environmental organisations.
Career
Raitt’s breakthrough came in 1989, when she released Nick of Time, which included the hit Nick of Time and Have a Heart. The album was a huge success, winning three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and Raitt went on to record Luck of the Draw in 1991, which included Something to Talk About and I Can’t Make You Love Me.
After Luck of the Draw, Raitt released Longing in Their Hearts in 1994, which included the hit Love Sneakin’ Up On You, and she recorded Fundamental in 1998, which included Round & Round. She has continued to record and perform, and she remains one of the most beloved musicians in American music.
Like fellow blues-rock stars Jackson Browne and Linda Ronstadt, Raitt 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 Bonnie Raitt
- Bonnie Raitt’s album Nick of Time won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, in 1990.
- She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
- She was born Bonnie Lynn Raitt in Burbank, California, in 1949.
- Her song I Can’t Make You Love Me is one of the most beloved ballads in American music.
- She was married to actor Michael O’Keefe from 1991 to 1999, and she has no children.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bonnie Raitt?
Bonnie Raitt was born on November 8, 1949, which makes her 77 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Bonnie Raitt?
Bonnie Raitt is 5 feet 4 inches tall (1.63 metres).
What is Bonnie Raitt’s net worth?
Bonnie Raitt’s net worth is estimated at approximately $12 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Bonnie Raitt best known for?
Bonnie Raitt is best known for Something to Talk About and I Can’t Make You Love Me.