# The Unspoken Truth About Cab Calloway’s Five Daughters
Cab Calloway, a legendary jazz icon of the Harlem Renaissance, captivated the world with his electrifying performances and iconic “Hi-de-ho” cry. While his music symbolized joy and escape during the Great Depression and war years, his private life cast long shadows over his family, particularly his five daughters.
This article uncovers the untold stories of Kame, Constance, Chris, Cecilia (Lael), and Cabella Calloway, revealing the challenges they faced growing up in the shadow of a superstar.
**Kame Calloway Murphy**, born in 1927 to Cab and Zelma Proctor outside of marriage, faced social stigma from the start. Despite her father’s fame, Kame grew up in silence, bearing the weight of being a hidden part of his life. She forged her own path as an educator and principal, shaping young lives with resilience.
Though recognition from Cab came late, Kame’s life, until her passing in 2017, was a testament to endurance and dignity in the face of personal pain.
**Constance Calloway**, adopted during Cab’s first marriage to Wenonah “Betty” Conacher, struggled with a sense of belonging. With Cab often absent due to his career, and after his divorce from Wenonah in 1949, Constance felt increasingly disconnected.
Choosing to retreat from the public eye, her life remains largely undocumented, reflecting the quiet tragedy of being overshadowed by fame and forgotten by history.
**Chris Calloway**, born in 1945 to Cab and Zulme “Nuffie” McNeill, embraced the stage, inheriting her father’s charisma. Yet, she battled constant comparisons to Cab, asserting, “I am not my father’s copy.”
Despite earning respect for her authentic performances, the shadow of her father’s legacy persisted. Diagnosed with breast cancer, Chris fought until her death in 2008 at 62, leaving a legacy of courage and individuality.
**Cecilia “Lael” Calloway**, also born to Cab and Nuffie, chose a life away from the spotlight. Growing up with an absent father, she opted for privacy over public scrutiny.
Little is known of her life, but her deliberate invisibility speaks to a quiet strength—and loneliness. Lael’s story highlights the choice to preserve one’s identity by stepping away from fame’s burden.
**Cabella Calloway**, the youngest, born in 1952, lived during the twilight of Cab’s career. She dedicated herself to education and preserving jazz heritage, acting as a bridge between her father’s era and future generations.
Though often defined by her father’s name, Cabella, who passed in 2023, carried the legacy with grace, sacrificing personal recognition to keep the music alive.
Cab Calloway’s daughters navigated a complex inheritance of privilege and pain. While the world adored Cab, his children often lacked his presence, bearing the weight of expectations and public scrutiny. Their stories—of resilience, struggle, and quiet endurance—remind us that behind every legend are human lives shaped by both the brilliance and the shadows of fame.