Edith Piaf was born on December 19, 1915, in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris, France. Her mother, Annetta Giovanna Maillard, was a cafe singer, and her father, Louis-Alphonse Gassion, was a street performer. Piaf was born prematurely and suffered from poor health throughout her life. At the age of two, she became blind in her left eye after her mother accidentally scratched it.
Piaf's childhood was marked by poverty and instability. Her father abandoned the family when she was young, and her mother frequently left her in the care of her paternal grandmother. Piaf often begged for money on the streets of Paris and was eventually taken in by her father's acrobat and contortionist partner, who became her legal guardian.
In 1935, Piaf was discovered by Louis Leplée, a cabaret owner, who gave her a chance to perform at his club, Le Gerny's. Leplée was impressed by Piaf's powerful voice and stage presence, and he gave her the nickname "La Môme Piaf," which means "The Little Sparrow." Piaf quickly gained popularity and began performing at other venues around Paris.
In 1940, Piaf began to tour internationally, performing in the United States, Canada, and South America. She became known as one of France's most beloved singers, and her music captured the spirit of post-war France. Some of her most famous songs include "La Vie en Rose," "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien," and "Milord."
Piaf's personal life was marked by tragedy and turmoil. She was married twice and had numerous affairs with both men and women. She had a daughter, Marcelle, who died at the age of two, and a son, Théo, who was born prematurely and died two years later. Piaf struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol, and her health suffered as a result. She was involved in several serious car accidents and suffered from numerous health problems throughout her life.
Despite her personal struggles, Piaf continued to perform and record music throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 1962 for her contributions to French culture.
Piaf died on October 10, 1963, at the age of 47, from liver cancer. Her funeral was attended by thousands of mourners, including many of France's most famous artists and intellectuals. Today, Piaf is remembered as one of the greatest singers of the 20th century, and her music continues to inspire generations of performers.
--> Go to Paris Chanson's YouTube channel to watch Edith sing her biggest successes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWflgUzryeDx0hG2Xe8-_Pm8RUruVxeup