Age, Biography and Wiki

Vivian Carter was born on 25 March, 1921 in Tunica, Mississippi, is an American businesswoman. Discover Vivian Carter's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is she in this year and how she spends money? Also learn how she earned most of networth at the age of 68 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 68 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 25 March, 1921
Birthday 25 March
Birthplace Tunica, Mississippi
Date of death 1989
Died Place N/A
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 March. She is a member of famous businesswoman with the age 68 years old group.

Vivian Carter Height, Weight & Measurements

At 68 years old, Vivian Carter height not available right now. We will update Vivian Carter's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Vivian Carter's Husband?

Her husband is Jimmy Bracken

Family
Parents Not Available
Husband Jimmy Bracken
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Vivian Carter Net Worth

Her net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Vivian Carter worth at the age of 68 years old? Vivian Carter’s income source is mostly from being a successful businesswoman. She is from United States. We have estimated Vivian Carter's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income businesswoman

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Timeline

1921

Vivian Carter (March 25, 1921 – June 12, 1989) was an American record company executive who was a founder of Vee-Jay Records with her future husband, Jimmy Bracken.

Carter was also a Gary, Indiana, and Chicago, Illinois, radio disc jockey.

Vee Jay, an independent record label, became the first successful black-owned recording company in the United States.

1939

She graduated from Gary's Roosevelt High School in 1939.

Carter excelled at public speaking, theater, and chorus.

A classmate and longtime friend described her as a fun-loving extrovert with "a rich alto voice."

After graduation, Carter took classes at a business college before becoming a clerical worker for the U.S. Army's Quartermaster Corps during World War II.

After a year in Washington, D.C., she transferred to Chicago to be closer to family and friends.

1944

In 1944, Carter met Jimmy Bracken, who became her business partner.

1948

In 1948, Carter won a talent contest conducted by Al Benson, a disc jockey (dee jay) at Chicago's WGES radio station.

The prize was an opportunity to host a fifteen-minute segment on WGES, which launched her radio career.

Carter worked at WGES for three months, but struggled financially and returned to Gary to work in a local millinery shop until she landed a job at WJOB (AM) in Hammond, Indiana.

1950

It released original music from artists of the 1950s and 1960s in a variety of genres, including rhythm and blues, doo-wop, pop, and gospel.

Carter was born in Tunica, Mississippi, United States, and moved with her parents to Gary, Indiana, when she was a child.

In 1950, Carter and Bracken opened Vivian's Record Shop at 1640 Broadway in Gary's Midtown district.

During the 1950s and early 1960s, under Carter's and Bracken's ownership, Vee-Jay became a major independent record label with acts including The Spaniels, Jimmy Reed, the El Dorados, John Lee Hooker, Gene Chandler, Jerry Butler, Dee Clark, The Staple Singers, and The Four Seasons, among others.

Because of their success with The Four Seasons, Vee Jay was approached by Transglobal Music Co., Inc. to carry Frank Ifield's single, "I Remember You".

During Carter's career as a radio dee jay, she helped introduce and promote the music of many notable American recording artists of the 1950s and 1960s.

Although she was described by one biographer as "negligent financially toward performers" her recording company developed, she was also a pioneer in helping to promote and capture their musical sounds on vinyl records.

1952

In 1952 Carter moved to WGRY and in 1954 to WWCA in Gary, where she hosted the "Livin' with Vivian" show six nights a week.

Carter aired a mix of musical genres, including blues, gospel, jazz, and what became known as doo-wop.

1953

They were married on December 16, 1953.

In 1953, Carter and Bracken borrowed $500 to establish a new record company, Vee-Jay Records, taking its name from the initials of their first names.

The Spaniels recording of "Baby It's You" and "Bounce" (B side) became Vee Jay's first release for the group.

However, with no capacity to distribute the record, Vee Jay leased the recording to Chance Records.

"Baby It's You" eventually reached number ten on Billboard magazine's rhythm-and-blues chart.

1954

In 1954, when Chance went out of business, Ewart Abner, Chance's accountant, moved to Vee Jay and assumed most of its management responsibilities.

Calvin Carter, Vivian's brother, later joined Vee Jay as it A&R (artists and repertoire) man to discover, produce, and develop new talent for the label.

1960

However, by the mid-1960s the record company was experiencing financial and legal difficulties arising from significant debts and spending beyond its means.

Carter, who later admitted that she had delegated too much of the company's day-to-day management, was unable to save the company, even after attempts to establish a new management team and closing its offices in California to reduce expenses.

1963

As part of the package, Vee Jay obtained the rights to the Beatles' "Please Please Me" and "Ask Me Why" which were released in 1963 (catalog number VJ 498).

Vee Jay secured the American distribution rights to The Beatles in 1963, and even sold a million copies of "Introducing the Beatles", but contract loopholes and lawsuits caused the company to lose them to Capitol Records.

Meanwhile, Carter continued to work as a radio dee jay, a key factor in attracting musical talent to the label.

Vee Jay Records, among the most successful independent labels of its era, made Carter a wealthy businesswoman.

1964

By 1964 the company was bankrupt; it ceased record production in 1966.

1967

In 1967, Carter lost a bid for election to become Gary's city clerk and later worked in the township trustee's office.

She also continued to remain active in radio as a late-night dee jay on WWCA in Gary.

1972

Bracken died in 1972.

1980

By the mid-1980s, Carter's health began to fail from high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes.

1989

Partially paralyzed, she died in a nursing home in 1989.