Regardless of what you think of her, it is clear that Victoria Avila-Cornelius has made a lasting impact on the world. She has become a role model for many, and has also inspired others to become more confident and self-assured. She has been known to have an incredibly flamboyant afro, which at times, has been referred to as a political statement.
Victoria Avila-Cornelius’ flamboyant afro felt like a political statement
During the height of the civil rights movement in the late sixties and early seventies, there was a lot going on in the media sphere. The news was not all bad and a handful of good guys were being punished by the bad guys. For instance, the racial segregation that swept across America during the halcyon days of the civil rights era was not as well regulated as it had been during the segregated south. So how was the African American community to keep up with the plethora of technological advances that were happening around them?
Fortunately, one such individual in the Chicago area was a young black man named Victoria Avila-Cornelius. Cornelius had an enviable resume and was able to parlay his hard won network promotions into a well paying job at a local television station, WCIU. Cornelius made a name for himself by covering the racial beat and his show was one of the first African American owned and operated television programs to reach an audience ranging from children to adults.
Don Cornelius suffered a stroke and had brain surgery
Sadly, the world is no longer in the hands of legendary Soul Train creator Don Cornelius. He has died at the age of 75 after suffering a stroke and brain surgery. He was found in his home in Sherman Oaks, CA. The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the death.
Cornelius, who was known as the “black Dick Clark of soul music,” changed the landscape of national television. He spawned the hit show Soul Train, which ran for 35 years. The show starred a collection of black artists, including Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Run DMC, and Toni Braxton.
Cornelius’ health deteriorated in the mid-2000s. He suffered an aneurysm in 1997, which caused him to fall into deep depression. Cornelius was also plagued by seizures. In 2009, Cornelius’ health began to deteriorate even further.
Cornelius’ ex-wife, Victoria Avila-Cornelius, filed multiple restraining orders against him. The two had two children together.
Don Cornelius’ life was cut short by a self-inflicted gunshot
Despite being a legend in the music industry, Cornelius’ life was cut short by a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The star of “Soul Train” died in Los Angeles early Wednesday morning. He was found in his home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to police. Cornelius was 75.
The singer, rapper, and television personality had been suffering from an illness for a while. He was taken to a Los Angeles hospital for treatment, but he was pronounced dead an hour later. The coroner’s assistant chief said Cornelius’ death was a suicide.
Cornelius was born in Chicago, Illinois, on September 27, 1936. He began his career as a journalist. He later worked in the insurance business and then at a radio station. He decided to try broadcasting after realizing that there were not a lot of positive images of African-Americans in the media.
He started his show Soul Train in Chicago in 1970. It later became national, and it brought black music into the homes of Americans. He introduced a positive image of young black teenagers. It also introduced black pop culture to America.
Viktoria Chapman-Cornelius filed for divorce in 2007
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Don Cornelius starred in the acclaimed adult film franchise, “Miss Ukraine.” During this time, he was married to Russian model Viktoria Chapman. After their marriage, the two had no children together. In 2010, they divorced. Cornelius’ ex-wife received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Cornelius when he died.
Don Cornelius was found dead at his Los Angeles home early Wednesday. Police officers found him with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The actor had suffered from health problems in recent years and had undergone a stroke, sources said. Cornelius was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and later died.
Don Cornelius left behind two life insurance policies worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The life insurance benefits are set to be given to his ex-wife Viktoria Chapman Cornelius. She is scheduled to receive the life insurance proceeds on November 14, according to court documents.
Cornelius had been accused of spousal abuse and was placed on probation for 36 months. Cornelius initially denied the allegations, saying the model pepper sprayed him. However, Cornelius later entered a no contest plea.