World's Oldest Performing Drag Queen Dies At 92

PORTLAND, OR — Walter Cole, who performed for decades as Darcelle XV and was the world's oldest working drag queen, died of natural causes in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. He was 92.

Darcelle XV was crowned the world’s oldest working drag performer in 2016 by the Guinness Book of World Records and was known for hosting the longest-running drag show on the U.S. West Coast. He died of natural causes, the Associate Press reported.

He opened Darcelle XV Showplace more than 50 years ago in downtown Portland. The club posted a statement on Facebook expressing grief and asking for privacy and patience.

The club, which had become a Portland cultural institution by the 1970s and was listed in 2020 on the National Register of Historic Places.