Lenny Kravitz’s Father was Sy Kravitz (Born: December 10, 1924, Died: October 29, 2005), a former US military officer and TV producer with the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) who died at the age of 80. At the time he passed away in 2005, he had an estimated net worth of $1 million.
In all 80 years that Sy lived on earth, he lived a very successful life, and the world would no doubt never forget his name, as people like his son Lenny Kravitz and grandchild Zoe Kravitz continue to move forward the family legacy.
Summary of Sy Kravitz’s Biography
- Full Name: Sy Kravitz
- Gender: Male
- Date of Birth: 10 December 1924
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Died: 29 October 2005
- Age at Death: 80 years old
- Ethnicity: White
- Nationality: American
- Marital Status: Divorced
- Sy Kravitz’s Ex-Wife: Roxie Roker (m. 1962–1985)
- Children: Lenny Kravitz
- Grandchild: Zoë Kravitz
- Parents: Joseph Kravitz, Jean Kaufman
- Siblings: Leonard Harold Kravitz
- Sy Kravitz Net Worth: $1 million
Sy Kravitz’s Bio
His full name is Seymour Kravitz and he was born on the 10th of December 1924, in Brooklyn, New York City, United States of America. He was born to two loving parents although much is not known about them. He was raised in New York alongside his younger brother the Late Leonard Harold Kravitz.
The two boys were inseparable as kids and both fought in the Korean War. Unfortunately, his younger brother died in the war and this left a big hole in the heart of Sy Kravitz. He holds an American Nationality although his ethnicity is traced to Jewish and Russian.
For his education, Sy attended Beverly Hills High school after which he began his long career in film making. Through hard work and consistency, Sy soon became one of the biggest producers in America. He worked as a news producer and filmmaker for NBC and is recognized even in his death as one of the most iconic producers to ever be.
Sy Kravitz’s Wife and Relationships
Sy Kravitz and Roxie Roker faced a unique challenge when they decided to embark on an interracial relationship during the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. Sy was a white, Jewish man, and Roxie was a black Bahamian woman. Despite the societal pressures, the two fell deeply in love and eventually married in 1962 – making them one of the first interracial couples similar to that of what we now know as “The Jeffersons.”
Who Is Sy Kravitz’s Son?
Two years after their union, Sy and Roxie welcomed their only child Lenny Kravitz, who they named after Sy’s late brother. While it may seem like a perfect family from today’s perspective, Sy proved to be less than ideal as both a husband and father. This fact was made clear by his 2020 memoir titled “Let Love Rule,” which recounts many details about his parents’ relationship. He has also done multiple interviews discussing his parents’ marriage further – giving us a unique glimpse into this historic relationship.
Sy Kravitz’s Relationship With His Son Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz and his father Sy had a complicated relationship. Despite being a loving and sensitive man, Sy’s disciplinary tendencies and jealousy strained their relationship. As a celebrity singer-songwriter and actor, Lenny achieved great success in his career, but his relationship with his father was often strained, and it wasn’t until Sy became gravely ill that father and son reconciled, allowing them to have the relationship that Lenny had always wanted.
Lenny Kravitz Thought of His Father as a Hardcore Dsciplinary Figure
Lenny had an emotional distance from his father. This was partly due to the harsh discipline-style parenting practised by Sy – something which made him afraid of his dad. In addition to being a strict disciplinarian figure in the household, Lenny suspected that his dad might have been jealous of the success of himself and his mother’s careers. Consequently, their relationship only drew him closer to his mother, making him “a mama’s boy”.
Before Lenny and His father officially parted ways with each other for good, they had one final family chat, whereupon Roxie asked her ex-husband if he had anything to say to their son. Somewhat surprisingly, Sy said, “you’ll do it too,” indicating that he expected Lenny might follow in his footsteps of marital infidelity as well.
Sy Was Able to Reconcile with His Son after Long Years Apart
When tragedy struck in 1995 with Roxie’s premature death from breast cancer, it wasn’t until 2005, when Sy became gravely ill that father and son were able to reconcile their differences finally. That month spent together was the best time they ever shared, according to what Lenny said later on – allowing them to have the connection both of them desperately needed all these years apart.
Lenny Supports his Fathers Legacy
It was on Instagram six years after Sy’s death when Lenny posted a sweet picture of him and his dad along with some touching words: “I wish I had more time with you as I matured and as you softened. Nonetheless, we are always together.” Evidently, there will never be another bond quite like this between these two – a testament to how complicated relationships can be but also how love can transcend any difficulties experienced along life’s continuum journey.
Who Are Sy Kravitz’s Daughters?
Sy was reportedly a bad husband and father to his family as he was caught cheating on Roxie countless times. After numerous affairs, Roxie could bear it no more and in 1985 filed for divorce from Sy Kravitz. Years after his divorce from Roxie, Sy got married to a woman named Erica and their marriage was blessed with two daughters, however, not much is known publicly about them.
Sy’s son Lenny Kravitz, on the other hand, went on to become a very successful rock artist selling millions of records all over the world. His style of music includes Rock, Blues, Soul, R&B, Funk, Jazz, Reggae, Hard Rock, Psychedelic, Pop-folk, and ballads. He got married to actress Lisa Bonet in 1987 and the two got divorced in 1993. His daughter, Zoe Kravitz is a beautiful singer and actress known popularly for starring in movies like Divergent and Big Little Lies.
Sy Kravitz was an excellent producer but unfortunately did not double as a family guy. He reportedly showed little love to his wife and children, although he carried the family’s financial responsibilities. He battled with leukemia for a long time and in October 2005, he passed away in a hospital in New York.
Sy Kravitz’s Net Worth
After spending decades in the world of film production, it’s no doubt that this man of beloved memory amassed a lot of wealth. His abilities and successes got him a net worth estimated to be at least $1 million.
Sy Kravitz’s Cause of Death
Sy Kravitz died on On October 29, 2005. The father of rockstar Lenny Kravitz, Sy succumbed to leukaemia at 80 years old in a New York City hospital and he was only a few weeks away from turning 81 when he passed away.
Lenny spoke fondly of his father’s last days, stating that the emotions between them had shifted, and it was the best month of their lives together. Apparently, the two put their differences behind them and managed to make peace before Sy passed away.
Two days after Sy Kravitz’s death, Lenny gave an emotional tribute to his father by performing ‘Let Love Rule’ live at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena in Connecticut. To this day, those who knew and loved him remember Sy with admiration and respect for what he meant not just to Lenny but to many people around him.
Other Facts About Lenny Kravitz’s Father
- Reconciliation
Right before he died, Sy Kravitz asked his son Lenny Kravitz to forgive him for not being present as a father in his life. Lenny forgave him and the two reconciled before he passed away. Two days after his death, Lenny honored his dad at the Mohegan Sun Casino Arena.
- Service Honor
Sy’s late brother Leonard Harold Kravitz who died during the Korean war was honored with the Distinguished Service Cross.
- Jealousy
Lenny Kravitz revealed in an interview with The Telegraph that his late dad Sy Kravitz was somewhat jealous of him and his mom’s success in their respective careers.
