Louis Armstrong’s Daughter Reissues Memoir for Musician’s 125th Birthday

Sharon Preston-Folta has reissued her memoir, “Little Satchmo,” to coincide with the 125th anniversary of Louis Armstrong’s birth in October 2026. The updated edition, published by St. Petersburg Press, arrives twelve years after the original self-published version and one year after the subject was adapted into a documentary that aired on PBS and won a Southeastern Emmy Award.

Preston-Folta, a Sarasota resident, described the timing as a strategic opportunity to upgrade the presentation of her life story. She noted that the new release ties the written account to the visual medium of the film, allowing her to share the narrative with a wider audience during this milestone year.

The core of the story remains unchanged: Preston-Folta was born on June 24, 1955, to Lucille “Sweets” Preston, a vaudeville dancer who performed in a duo with her husband, Slim. The couple frequently toured with Armstrong, who was then married to his fourth wife, also named Lucille. Although Armstrong never publicly acknowledged his daughter, he directed his manager to send monthly support payments and visited the family when his schedule permitted.

Armstrong maintained a close correspondence with the women in his private life. In one letter included in the memoir, he addressed “Sweets” directly, instructing her to give Sharon a kiss and explaining that he was saving money specifically for her college education. He stated that he would cover whatever college she chose to attend, provided she finished high school. The musician bought the mother and daughter a house in Mount Vernon, New York, in November 1962, which marked the twelfth year of their relationship.

The secrecy surrounding the relationship defined Preston-Folta’s childhood. She recalled that the lack of public recognition led to feelings of shame and confusion. She compared her family structure to those of her peers and felt out of place. This internal struggle continued into her twenties, where she worked through the anger of living in the shadow of a famous man who had never officially claimed her.

Her mother, who died in 2020 at age 98, initially opposed the memoir’s publication. Preston-Folta recalled her mother arguing that they had been well taken care of and that the story was a good one. Preston-Folta insisted on owning her legacy, explaining that she did not want the secret to pass on to her grandchildren. Her mother eventually attended some book and film appearances, where audiences treated her warmly, contrary to her fears of judgment.

The updated edition differs from the original in its conclusion. The first version ended with a letter to her father, while the new version closes with a letter to her mother. Preston-Folta holds that the universal theme of the book is forgiveness and the ability to own an experience without shame.

Preston-Folta pursued a legal claim to her heritage after her father’s death in 1971, but the effort yielded no financial result. Lucille Armstrong, who had previously signed a document stating her late husband had no children, died in 1983. By the time Preston-Folta sought to resolve the matter, the estate was largely settled. She gained an intellectual understanding of why she was not acknowledged, viewing the legal process as a way to work through the hurt rather than a path to restitution.

Preston-Folta holds a bachelor’s degree in communication arts from Iona University. She previously worked as an account executive at WUSF for nine years and now works as a consultant and voiceover artist. The reissue of her memoir serves as a final statement on the private life of one of jazz’s most prominent figures, ending with a focus on reconciliation rather than dispute.