Helen Bolotin: What Happened To Michael Bolton’s Mother?

Helen Bolotin is the mother of singer and songwriter Michael Bolotin best known as Michael Bolton. Helen’s son Michael was a member of the American rock band Blackjack, which was active from 1979–1980. He has won six American Music Awards and two Grammy Awards. He is known for appearing as himself in episodes of “Two and a Half Men”, “Fresh Off the Boat”, “The Nanny” and in the film “Meet Wally Sparks”.

Helen Bolotin: Bio Summary

NameHelen Bolotin
Other name Helen Lila Gubin
Date of birth November 24, 1919
Place of birth New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Famous asmother of Michael Bolton
Died July 19, 2015 (aged 95)
Parents Rose Gubin and Isador Gubin
Spouse George Bolotin
Children Orrin Bolotin, Michael Bolton, and Sandra Bolotin
Grandchildren Taryn Bolton, Holly Bolton, and Isa Bolton

Who Was Michael Bolton’s Mother, Helen Bolotin?

Helen Bolotin was born on November 24, 1919, in New Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. She was also known as Helen Lila Gubin. She was the daughter of Isadore Gubin and Rose Gubin and the sister of George Gubin. Her father Isadore was a Russian Jewish immigrant while her mother Rose was born in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, to Russian Jewish parents.

Helen was married to George L. “Bullet” Bolotin, a local official in the Democratic Party. She was a homemaker who did her best to take care of her home. She and George had three children, two sons and a daughter. According to Bodyheightweight, Helen and George got divorced. She lived a private life in West Haven till her death. She worked for the Adolescent Crisis Unit (Clifford Beers Clinic) in New Haven for almost a decade.

Helen also worked at Universal Studios for years enjoying the southern California lifestyle. She loved music and was reportedly a singer and songwriter. She played the piano as well. She enjoyed dancing, traveling, and, “being on the go”.

Helen Bolotin Was The Mother Of Three

Helen Bolotin had three children from her marriage to George Bolotin. Her children are sons Orrin Bolotin and Michael Bolotin, and daughter Sandra Bolotin. Helen encouraged her children to pursue their dreams. Her three children Orrin, Michael, and Sandra are said to have grown up listening to their mother’s “favorite show tunes and folk music, along with classic R&B, soul and gospel.”

Sandra reportedly plays the clarinet but it is unknown if she pursued a music career. Orrin and Michael have both pursued a music career. Orrin, a musician released his recordings on his own Rock N Hood Records label including the 2011 album Livin’ Like A Man and the 2013 single ‘Ain’t About Love’. He once said of his musical relationship with his brother Michael Bolton: “I’ve recorded on three labels with Michael.”

ALSO, READ: George Bolotin: Where Is Michael Bolton’s Father Now?

“I managed to Michael when I returned from India and got him a deal with RCA records, which was his first record company.” He added: “I was out with him – we opened up for Bob Seger, we did a national tour.” Orrin also said: “We’ve got strong music business experience together. We’ve collaborated on writing songs and singing and harmonies, we phrase a lot alike, he’s an incredibly gifted individual.”

Michael Bolotin professionally known as Michael Bolton started writing songs at a young age. He left high school with his parent’s permission to pursue music full-time. He was a high schooler when he was offered a contract by Epic Records. “I got a record deal with Epic when I was 16. My mother had to actually sign my contract. I was not legally old enough,” Michael recalled. “It was a band called Joy. I was the singer/songwriter. I got a $400 advance for signing my publishing deal with April Blackwood.”

“I was so excited I went and bought a red Rickenbacker guitar and it was the nicest thing I’d owned in my life. Within a year we got a letter [from Epic] that we were now free to sign with anyone you would like to, which is like getting a message from your girlfriend to feel free to whomever you want to date, anyone but me. But in that year I’d been bitten.” Michael married in his 20s. He became the father of three children, all girls.

Michael Bolton struggled to pay bills while raising his three daughters. He told Billboard: “I remember sitting at the kitchen table in depression about the food money that we needed and the rent check that was probably going to bounce. If a gig got snowed out in Connecticut that was my food and rent money. By the time I was 27, I had three daughters. I know that I couldn’t let the kids know how bad it was. My wife knew.”

“The hardest of times never leaves you and it’s amazing how close to the surface it is.” Michael anglicized his family name to Bolton. Eventually, he gained his first major hit as a songwriter, co-writing “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” for Laura Branigan. He achieved his greatest success as a pop singer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He performed songs written by or co-written with successful songwriters.

Helen Bolotin’s Relationship With Her Son, Michael Bolton

Helen Bolotin and her son Michael Bolton were close. She was very supportive of her son’s career from the beginning. Michael has said of his mother: “Looking back, my mother, Helen, was stronger than any of us. Women are permitted, encouraged and expected to feel, to be emotionally aware, to bear the emotional responsibility of an entire family. My mother became all of that, as well as the primary provider for my brother Orrin, sister Sandra and myself after a lengthy, drama-filled divorce from my father, George.”

ALSO, READ: Isa Bolton: Inside The Life Of Michael Bolton’s Daughter

What Happened To Michael Bolton’s Mother?

Helen Bolotin died on July 19, 2015, in West Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, when she was 95 years of age. She died at her home, surrounded by family and friends. The father of her children George Bolotin died on April 25, 1981, in Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States, at the age of 69 years old. Her son Orrin Bolotin died in 2023. Orrin’s brother Michael Bolton announced his death on social media.

“My brother, my mentor, my introduction to my love of music, he wrote on X. “We’ve shared songs, sports, long hair and the stage. Forever the traveler, I know your music guides you into your next journey. RIP.” Helen Bolotin is survived by grandchildren Isa, Holly, Taryn, Adam, Oliver, and Micah, great-grandchildren, and other relatives.

Author

  • Ruth Kai Botchway is a Senior Editor at Dicytrends.com. She is a graduate of All Stars Media College (2021) with a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies. With more than two years experience in Journalism, she has served as an intern at Accra FM and worked with Green TV and Ashiaman TV. She worked as a Maritime Journalist/ influencer, producing Port and Maritime agenda initially aired on Ashiaman TV. You can reach her via email: Ruthbotch1912@gmail.com

    View all posts

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right and needs corrections, Kindly contact us!

Ruth Kai Botchway

Ruth Kai Botchway is a Senior Editor at Dicytrends.com. She is a graduate of All Stars Media College (2021) with a Diploma in Journalism and Media Studies. With more than two years experience in Journalism, she has served as an intern at Accra FM and worked with Green TV and Ashiaman TV. She worked as a Maritime Journalist/ influencer, producing Port and Maritime agenda initially aired on Ashiaman TV. You can reach her via email: Ruthbotch1912@gmail.com

Leave a Reply