Adele Springsteen was the mother of singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen; she bought him his first guitar, served as his legal secretary, and was a fan favorite at concerts.
- Died: January 31, 2024 (Who else died on January 31?)
- Details of death: Died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 98.
- We invite you to share condolences for Adele Springsteen in our Guest Book.
Adele Springsteen’s legacy
Born Adele Zerilli, Springsteen was one of three sisters raised in New York City. She and her husband, Douglas Springsteen, moved to Freehold, New Jersey, to settle down and start a family. In 1949, they had the first of three children, Bruce. When he was a child in the 1950s, she bought him his first guitar and encouraged him to play. As he grew into an adult, he became one of the biggest rock stars in music history.
Springsteen had two other children, daughters Virginia and Pamela. In the late ‘60s, the family moved to California. Springsteen was a legal secretary by trade, and as her son’s fame grew, she eventually stepped into the role for him. After Douglas died in 1998, she became a mainstay at Bruce’s concerts and was often seen dancing to his songs, occasionally joining him on stage. Bruce often credited her with inspiring his love of music, exposing him to the sounds that would influence his own creativity.
Springsteen began suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in her 80s. Her last public appearance with Bruce was in 2018 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park. He sang her praises and told stories about her in “Springsteen on Broadway.”
Tributes to Adele Springsteen
Full obituary: CBS News
