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ÉDITH PIAF THE GREATEST FRENCH SINGER OF ALL TIME

FULL NAME: Édith Giovanna Gassion

BORN: DECEMBER 19, 1915, PARIS, FRANCE

DIED: OCTOBER 10, 1963, GRASSE, FRANCE

NATIONALITY: FRENCH

Édith’s nickname was Little Sparrow.

THE LITTLE SPARROW

French national icon Édith Piaf is considered the greatest and most popular French singer in history. The much-loved singer-songwriter remains one of France’s greatest international stars.

While little is known for certain about her early years, Édith Giovanna Gassion led a difficult life of health problems and family troubles, and her songs are often autobiographical. Édith’s mother left after Édith was born, and the young girl lived with various family members. Eventually, she joined her father and became a street singer and acrobat. As a teenager, Édith gave birth to a daughter, Marcelle, who died of an illness at the age of two.

Édith’s street performances took her all over Paris, but her big break would come in 1935, when she was discovered by a nightclub owner. That year, two significant things happened: she had her stage debut at the popular Le Gerny club and recorded two albums. Her songs told of her life on the streets, and her voice was raw, powerful, and full of emotion. Her most iconic songs, including “La Vie en rose,” “Mon Dieu,” and “Non, je ne regrette rien” tell stories of love and sorrow and have become anthems in France and across the globe. The name “Piaf” is the French slang for “sparrow,” and Édith was dubbed the “Little Sparrow” for her tiny frame and nervous energy. (She was only 4 foot 8 inches.)

Édith was an incredible performer, considered to be one of the best of the 20th century. She became one of the most popular performers in France during World War II, and she eventually toured the globe, including performances at New York’s Carnegie Hall and Paris’ Olympia Theater. There was criticism of her wartime performances for the occupying German Nazi army. However, after the Liberation of Paris, it was revealed that Édith had likely been working in secret for the French Resistance and helping Jews flee the invading Nazis.

A 2012 French postage stamp honoring the incredible singer and national icon

As a teenager, the young Édith was an acrobat and singer around the streets of Paris, France (seen here circa 1920).

I REGRET NOTHING

Sadly, despite her triumphal rags-to-riches story, Édith’s misfortunes continued. Her life was full of sadness, including the death of a lover, addictions, health problems, serious car accidents, and scandal—but she refused to give up. When she died at the age of only 47, tens of thousands of people attended her funeral. One of her later songs, “Non, je ne regrette rien” (“No, I Regret Nothing”) perfectly sums up Édith’s difficult life and determination. Her life was beset by struggle, but this only made the Little Sparrow work harder. To this day, her songs continue to touch people—in France and across the globe. In 2007, a movie was made of her life, called La Vie en Rose, which won an Academy Award. So widespread is her influence, a small planet, 3772 Piaf, has been named after her. More than 50 years after hear death, Édith is still an icon and inspiration for writers, artists, and musicians for her passion and determination.