Janis Joplin age at death: core facts
Janis Joplin died at age 27 on October 4, 1970, in Los Angeles, California. Her death was attributed to an accidental heroin overdose, with alcohol present and contributing to central nervous system depression. Joplin had entered drug rehabilitation several days earlier and had resumed using. This overview presents verified biographical milestones, contextual timelines, public health implications, and her enduring cultural influence, drawing on coroner records, contemporary reporting, and retrospective scholarship.
Biographical timeline and key dates
The table below summarizes core dates and metrics relevant to Janis Joplin age at death and related facts. All entries reflect information available from coroner reports, verified biographies, and authoritative archives.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Janis Lyn Joplin | Public record |
| Date of birth | January 19, 1943 | Birth certificate |
| Date of death | October 4, 1970 | Coroner report |
| Age at death | 27 years old | Calculated from dates above |
| Place of death | Los Angeles, California, USA | Coroner report |
| Cause of death | Accidental heroin overdose; alcohol involvement | Autopsy and toxicology |
| Notitional last album | Posthumous: Pearl (1971) | Label release records |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) | Medical/anthropometric records |
Context for age at death
Calculating Janis Joplin age at death starts with a birth date of January 19, 1943 and an official death date of October 4, 1970. She had turned 27 earlier in 1970 and died just over nine months before her 28th birthday. Public records and coroner documentation confirm these dates; no credible alternative timelines or disputed birth/death dates appear in authoritative sources.