Zola Jesus

Jesus in 2015, photo by kathclick/www.bigstockphoto.com

Birth Name: Nicole Rose Hummel

Place of Birth: Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 11, 1989

Ethnicity:
*father – German
*mother – Slovenian, possibly Russian

Zola Jesus, also known as Nika Roza Danilova, is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her work includes electronic, industrial, classical, goth, and later a prominent pop-influenced sound.

Zola was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and was raised partly in Merrill, northern Wisconsin. Her ancestors were ethnic Germans from the Odessa area in Ukraine. She is a cousin of politician Amy Klobuchar. Zola has said that she uses her Slavic name, “Nika Roza Danilova.”

Zola’s paternal grandfather likely was Daniel M. Hummel (the son of Heinrich/Henry Hummel and Olga Becker). Daniel was born in North Dakota. Heinrich was the son of Peter Hummel and Katherine/Katherina Litz, who were ethnic Germans from Odessa, then in the Russian Empire. Olga was the daughter of John Becker and Magdalene/Magdalena Rempfer.

Zola’s paternal grandmother likely was Gladys D. Bertsch (the daughter of Ted Bertsch and Hilda Klein). Gladys’ family were ethnic Germans from Russia. Ted was the son of Johann “John” Bertsch and Christina Fuchs. Hilda was the daughter of Heinrich Klein and Katherina Pfaff.

Zola’s maternal grandfather’s mother was named Frančiška. Frančiška was Slovenian.

Sources: Zola mentions her ancestry – http://www.elle.com
http://pitchfork.com
http://www.talkhouse.com
https://www.timeout.com

Obituary record of likely Zola’s paternal great-grandmother, Olga (Becker) Hummel – https://www.familysearch.org

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