Biography
Who is Cyndi Lauper?
Early life and real name
Cynthia Ann Stephanie Lauper was born in New York City on June 22, 1953. She grew up in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens within a Catholic family. Her mother was named Catrine and her father was named Fred. She has a brother and a sister. Her parents divorced when she was five years old, and her mother later remarried.
Cyndi attended Richmond Hill High School but was later expelled. She eventually earned her General Educational Development certificate. As a teenager, she learned to play an acoustic guitar and began writing her own songs. She faced bullying from classmates due to her unconventional clothing choices and various hair colors.
Career highlights
Cyndi Lauper released her debut solo studio album titled She's So Unusual in 1983. The record became a big global hit and made her the first female artist to achieve four top-five singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from a single debut release. These tracks included Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Time After Time, She Bop, and All Through the Night. The record eventually sold 16 million copies worldwide and earned her a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
She continued her success with her second album, True Colors, released in 1986. Throughout her career, she also ventured into theater, composing the music for the Broadway musical Kinky Boots. This work earned her a Tony Award for Best Original Score in 2013, making her the first woman to win that category independently.
Humanitarian work and awards
Cyndi has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, a Tony Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2025.
Aside from music, she is widely celebrated for her humanitarian efforts. She has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ rights in the United States. In 1985, she participated in the charity single We Are the World to support famine relief in Africa.
Family and relationships
Cyndi Lauper married David Thornton. Her family background includes diverse European heritage, with her father being of Swiss-German descent and her mother having Sicilian roots. During her early years in the entertainment industry, she faced personal and financial challenges, including a period of bankruptcy following a lawsuit from a former manager.
Birthday and age
Cyndi Lauper was born on June 22, 1953, which makes Cyndi 73 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Cyndi shares the date with 30 other famous people.
Explore more
