Armstrong performed at the Waldorf-Empire Astoria’s Room for two weeks in March 1971 over his doctor’s advice. He was taken to the hospital towards the end for a heart attack. He started trumpet practice as soon as he was discharged from the hospital in May.
Armstrong passed away in his sleep from a heart attack on July 6, 1971, a month before his actual 70th birthday and two days after celebrating his supposed 71st birthday. He was still looking forward to traveling again.
At the time of his passing, he was living in Corona, Queens, New York City. He was buried in Flushing, Queens, New York City’s Flushing Cemetery.
Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Pearl Bailey, Count Basie, Harry James, Frank Sinatra, Ed Sullivan, Earl Wilson, Alan King, Johnny Carson, and David Frost served as his honorary pallbearers during his funeral.
At the funerals, Fred Robbins, a longtime friend, delivered the eulogy while Al Hibbler performed “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen,” and Peggy Lee sang “The Lord’s Prayer.”
How old was Louis Armstrong when he died?
Louis Armstrong lived from August 4, 1901, to July 6, 1971. He was 69 years when he passed away.
