Violet Hensley

Violet Brumley Hensley (October 21, 1916 – August 7, 2026) was an American luthier and musician who made fiddles and played the fiddle in country music, recording three albums with family members. She was inducted into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame at age 101.

Early life Violet Hensley was born in Mount Ida, Arkansas, on October 21, 1916, to George Washington Brumley and Nora (née Springer).

In 1935, she married Adren Hensley. The couple had nine children and she ceased to make fiddles for twenty-seven years to focus on her family. In 1961, Hensley began building fiddles again, making 69 more instruments, all numbered. She also repaired fiddles. She was often called "the Stradivarius of the Ozarks". They released two more albums, The Whittling Fiddler and Family in 1983, and Family Treasures in 2004. Hensley turned 100 years old on October 21, 2016, making her a centenarian.

Hensley died in Yellville, Arkansas, on August 7, 2026, at the age of 109. She was preceded in death by four of her sons, seven grandchidren, and one great-great-grandson. Her descendants include 32 grandchildren, 85 great-grandchildren, 29 great-great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-great-grandchildren.