Drag performance has a long and rich history, with many talented performers of all ages contributing to the art form. Darcelle XV, who held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest drag queen performer, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92, her cabaret in Portland, Oregon, confirmed on social media.
“The family of Darcelle XV along with her cast and crew are heartbroken to announce that our beloved Darcelle (Walter W. Cole, Sr.) has died at age 92 from natural causes,” Darcelle XV Showplace said on Instagram. “We ask for privacy and patience as everyone processes and grieves in their own way and at their own pace.”
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Who was Darcelle XV?
Walter Cole, a well-known American drag performer located in Portland, Oregon, performed under the alias Darcelle XV. Darcelle XV, who was born in 1930, was one of the oldest drag artists in the United States. She had been working in drag for more than 50 years.
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Cole established the first of several nightclubs in Portland in 1967, including the current Darcelle XV Showplace, which has been in business since 1973. The club has established itself as a staple in Portland’s LGBTQ+ community and over the years has hosted shows by a number of well-known drag queens and other performers.
Throughout her career, Darcelle XV was honored with a number of prizes and accolades for her work with the LGBTQ+ community, including being inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame in 2017. She used to perform frequently at her nightclub until she was 89 years old, making her one of the oldest drag artists in the world.
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“She touched the lives of so many, not only through her performances but also through her fearless community advocacy and charitable works,” said Todd Addams, the interim executive director of Basic Rights Oregon, speaking of Darcelle. “She was nothing short of an icon.”