Her biological mother, Carol Hawkins, was the sister of Nat King Cole's wife, Maria.

[3] Cole received an associate's degree at Cazenovia College and pursued a vital acting career that spanned theater, television and film.

During her acting career she starred in the films The Silencers (1966), The Mad Room, (1969), Promise at Dawn (1970), and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).

She funded the album which included tracks performed by the Roots, will.i.am, Cee Lo Green, Natalie Cole, Bebel Gilberto and Brazilian Girls.

Her eldest daughter, Caroline, was placed for adoption immediately after birth (against Cole's wishes) but the two met in 2002 and subsequently developed a close bond.