Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer, songwriter, guitarist and painter best known for her poetic songwriting and for albums including Blue and Court and Spark, and for songs including Big Yellow Taxi, A Case of You and Both Sides Now. With her distinctive voice, her innovative guitar tunings and her gift for crafting songs that are both deeply personal and universal, Mitchell has built a career that spans more than five decades, and she is widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in popular music.
| Full Name | Roberta Joan Mitchell |
| Date of Birth | November 7, 1943 |
| Age | 83 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, guitarist, painter |
| Known For | Blue, Big Yellow Taxi, Both Sides Now |
| Children | One daughter, Kelly Dale |
| Net Worth | Approx. $100 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Joni Mitchell?
Joni Mitchell is a musician who became one of the biggest stars in popular music. She first found fame with her debut album Song to a Seagull in 1968, and she went on to record Clouds in 1969, which included the hit Both Sides Now, and Blue in 1971, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.
Mitchell also had a successful career as a recording artist, with hits including Big Yellow Taxi in 1970, Help Me in 1974 and Free Man in Paris in 1974. She won ten Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Turbulent Indigo in 1996, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
Early Life & Background
Roberta Joan Mitchell was born on November 7, 1943, in Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada, the daughter of a grocer father, and she grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where she attended Aden Bowman Collegiate. She began playing guitar as a teenager, teaching herself to play by ear, and she contracted polio at the age of nine, which left her with a weakened left hand.
After graduating from high school, Mitchell attended the Alberta College of Art, where she studied, and she worked as a folk singer in Toronto, performing in coffeehouses. She then moved to the United States, where she recorded her debut album Song to a Seagull in 1968.
She has one daughter, Kelly Dale, who was born in 1965 and given up for adoption, and they were reunited in 1997. She lives in Los Angeles, and she is known for her love of painting and for her distinctive guitar tunings, which she developed to accommodate her weakened left hand.
Career
Mitchell’s breakthrough came in 1968, when she released her debut album Song to a Seagull, which included the hit Both Sides Now. The album was a huge success, and Mitchell went on to record Clouds in 1969, which included Both Sides Now and Chelsea Morning, and Blue in 1971, which is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.
After Blue, Mitchell released For the Roses in 1972, which included the hit You Turn Me On, I’m a Radio, and she recorded Court and Spark in 1974, which included Help Me and Free Man in Paris. She has continued to record and perform, and she remains one of the most beloved musicians in popular music.
Like fellow singer-songwriters James Taylor and Carly Simon, Mitchell 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 popular music.
Facts About Joni Mitchell
- Joni Mitchell’s album Blue is widely regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time.
- She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
- She was born Roberta Joan Mitchell in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1943.
- Her song Both Sides Now was a hit for Judy Collins in 1968 before Mitchell recorded it herself.
- She has one daughter, Kelly Dale, who was born in 1965 and given up for adoption, and they were reunited in 1997.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Joni Mitchell?
Joni Mitchell was born on November 7, 1943, which makes her 83 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Joni Mitchell?
Joni Mitchell is 5 feet 6 inches tall (1.68 metres).
What is Joni Mitchell’s net worth?
Joni Mitchell’s net worth is estimated at approximately $100 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Joni Mitchell best known for?
Joni Mitchell is best known for Blue and Big Yellow Taxi.