Don was able to bring in a host of talented black artists and he hosted the show from 1971 to 1971 through 1993.

Who was Don Cornelius

Don Cornelius was born September 27, 1936. He grew up in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

After graduating from DuSable High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1954.

Cornelius spent 18 months in Korea. After returning home, he started working in various positions, including as a tire salesman and officer for the Chicago Police Department.

Cornelius started a three-month broadcasting class in 1966 and ended up getting a job as an announcer and reporter for WVON, a Chicago-based station.

He joined the WCIU TV local station in the next year and hosted his own news program.

Soul Train, a Chicago radio station, was first broadcast on a daily basis. It then went national and moved to Los Angeles in 1970.

Cornelius was able to bring many emerging Black artists to a larger audience by creating Soul Train.

Soul Train featured the likes Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson.

Cornelius was well-known for his voice and appearance but also his Soul Train catchphrase, "And you can wager your last money, it all gonna be stone gas, honey!"

He would reply, "I'm Don Cornelius and as always in parteing - I wish you love peace and soul."

What was Don Cornelius's death cause?

Shemar Moore, former Soul Train host, said that Don's health was already in decline prior to his death.

Don Cornelius, who had suffered an apparent self-inflicted gunshot injury, was unresponsive at his home on February 1, 2012.

After arriving at Los Angeles' hospital, he was declared dead.

How much was Don Cornelius worth?

Don made his fortune not only through music and TV, but also as a producer of records in Tapeheads 1988.

Cornelius was last seen on Unsung's episode two days before his death.

According to Celebrity net worth, Don Cornelius was valued at around $15 million.

Was Don Cornelius married?

Don Cornelius was twice married during his lifetime.
 

His first wife Delores Harrison was his bride. He divorced twenty years later, in 1976.

In 2001, he remarried to Viktoria Chapman. They divorced in 2009

Cornelius was also father to Raymond and Anthony.