Jimmy Buffett, 1946-2023: A legend’s life.
Remembering Jimmy Buffett: A Life of Music, Fun, and Philanthropy
“Have fun.”
Not one to end a party early, these were Jimmy Buffett’s last words to his family at his home in New York. The singer-songwriter, folk troubadour, and son of a son of a sailor, Buffett left behind a legacy that extends far beyond his music. On September 1, he succumbed to an aggressive form of skin cancer, but his impact on the world will never be forgotten.
James William Buffett was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi, but he always felt that his true home was Key West, Florida. After struggling as a songwriter in cities like Nashville, Tennessee, and Chicago, Illinois, Buffett finally found his place in the world. He picked up the guitar as a freshman at Auburn University, realizing that it was more attractive to women than the trombone he had played in elementary school.
Buffett’s guitar skills proved to be a game-changer. He left Auburn and pursued music part-time while attending community college and working in Gulf Coast shipyards. From playing for tourists in New Orleans, Louisiana, to trying his luck in Nashville, Buffett’s journey eventually led him to Key West. It was there that he played for drinks, partied with Truman Capote, and met his second wife, Jane Slagsvol, with whom he would share nearly 50 years of marriage.
Buffett’s musical career took off with his first album, recorded in Key West. He went on to become one of the bestselling singer-songwriters of all time, selling approximately 20 million albums. Even at the time of his death, Buffett was working on his 31st record. His last live performance in early 2023 marked the end of 47 years of touring, which began as the opening act for the Eagles in the late 1970s.
One of Buffett’s most iconic songs, “Margaritaville,” was reportedly written while he was stuck in traffic on the seven-mile bridge to his Florida island home after a night out in Austin, Texas. This hit song is now in the Grammy Hall of Fame and has spawned a massive corporate empire. Buffett’s net worth upon his death is estimated to be $1 billion.
But Buffett was more than just a singer. His involvement in various ventures, from beer to Broadway, is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. He built a Margaritaville empire that includes restaurants, resorts, retirement villages, signature spirits, a casino, a radio station, a line of blenders, and a record company. He even ventured into the cannabis industry, although he claimed to have quit smoking marijuana in 2017. The Margaritaville parent corporation generated $2.2 billion in revenue in 2022 alone.
Despite his immense success, Buffett remained committed to making a positive impact. He founded Save the Manatees and was a passionate environmentalist, advocating for endangered species and supporting habitat improvement efforts in Florida. He also used his music to raise funds for various causes, including flying supplies to Haiti after the devastating earthquake in 2010.
But perhaps Buffett’s greatest achievement was creating a rich, imaginary paradise that captured the hearts of millions. Over the last five decades, he has amassed a legion of fans, known as “Parrotheads,” who embrace his vision of a more peaceful and beach-filled world. Through his songs, Buffett painted a vivid picture of pirates, sailors, and island characters, many of whom he claimed to have encountered firsthand. His music became a soundtrack for those seeking an escape to a carefree and tropical existence.
Buffett passed away surrounded by his loved ones, leaving behind his wife, Jane, two daughters, Savannah and Sarah Delaney, and son Cameron. His impact on the world will continue to be felt for generations to come.
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About the Author:
Emily Zanotti is a writer and editor living in Nashville, Tennessee.
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