In 1962, she married Theo Sarapo, who was twenty years younger to her. During this time, Piaf also became involved in the French cabaret scene. Albeit her short physical stature, audiences the world over were amazed by her powerful vocals. Sadly, Marcelle died two years later. Tens of thousands of fans followed her funeral procession to the cemetery. They named their daughter Marcelle. Louis Leplee, the owner of a popular Paris nightclub, discovered Piaf in 1935 and invited her to perform in his club. She gave many memorable performances in Bruno Coquatrix's Paris Olympia music hall. Even today she continues to be heard by music lovers all over the world. She was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Belleville, Paris. Piaf is France's most famous chanteuse. Who Is The Greatest Female Warrior In History. In 1962, Piaf married singer and actor Theo Sarapo, who was 20 years her junior. She was not formally educated, yet managed to pen the lyrics of quite a few of her songs. She returned to street singing much to the fury of Louis Dupont, whom she never married. This soulful singer was left-blind due to keratitis at childhood. Leplee taught her the basics of stage presence and asked her to wear a black dress. At less than five feet tall, Piaf was known as "La Mome Piaf," or "The Little Sparrow;" she is now celebrated as one of France's greatest performers. Their marriage ended after four years. In 1952, she married Jacques Pills, her first husband. Edith… She became friends with personalities such as, Maurice Chevalier and Jacques Borgeat. She started touring all over Europe, the US and South America. It was Leplee who bestowed her the nickname "La Môme Piaf" (the Little Sparrow). Edith Piaf was born as Giovanna Gassion. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/soul-sparrow-article-1.219463, http://noworriesparis.com/tag/edith-piaf-museum/, http://coverlib.com/entry/id290251/edith-piaf-eternelle. This famous singer posed with French prisoners and then used the photographs to make passports for them. She became addicted to morphine and alcohol, following a series of near-fatal accidents. After cementing her place in the world of music, she took upcoming musicians under her wings and groomed them. Her 17-year-old mother was a café singer and her father was a street acrobat. Early Life: It's said that Piaf was completely blind from ages 3-7, and she claimed to have been miraculously cured when the prostitutes prayed for her on a religious pilgrimage. Along the way, she had many other lovers. Sadly, their daughter Marcelle died before the age of 2 of meningitis. Édith Piaf was a French cabaret singer, songwriter, and actress. The Tragic Death of French Cabaret Sweetheart Edith Piaf, Michael Corinthos/Quartermaine | General Hospital Character, Biography of Frank Sinatra, Legendary Singer, Entertainer, Learn About 10 Famous Jazz Singers Every Fan Should Know, Biography of Johnny Cash, American Singer-Songwriter, Biography of Maria Callas, Acclaimed Opera Singer, Biography of Igor Stravinsky, Revolutionary Russian Composer. The date is disputed; it is said that she actually passed on October 10, but the official date of death is October 11. The killing brought negative attention to Piaf, and for a time she struggled to regain her reputation. The baby was coming and two nearby policeman assisted in the delivery of Edith right there on the sidewalk. In 1935, Louis Leplee, persuaded her to sing at his nightclub. Edith Piaf had an affair with former middleweight world champion, Marcel Cerdan, who was already married. Her reputation was ruined. Years of touring only brought her moderate financial success, but she achieved great popularity as a nightclub act. Biography. He later passed away in a plane crash, while travelling from Paris to New York to meet her in October, 1949. In 1961, she helped to save the hall from bankruptcy by offering debut performance of her song, ‘Non, je ne regrette rien’. Leplee instructed Piaf in the art of performance; at her opening night, she was joined on stage by the famous jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt. Edith Piaf - "Non, je ne regrette rien" Edith Piaf - "Padam Padam" Edith Piaf - "Milord" Édith Piaf - "Ne me quitte pas" Edith Piaf - "Autumn Leaves" (Les Feuilles Mortes)Édith Piaf was born Édith Giovanna Gassion, and was a French singer and cultural icon who became universally regarded as France's greatest popular singer.. Her father was Louis-Alphonse Gassion, a street acrobat from Normandy and her mother was Annetta Giovanna Maillard, a cafe singer from Italy. Marion Cotillard, French actress whose Oscar-winning performance as She won Grammy nominations for ‘Best Album Cover (other Than Classical) Award’ and for ‘Best Album Notes Awards’. In 1936, Leplee was murdered. Édith Piaf was born Édith Giovanna Gassion in Belleville, Paris, on December 19, 1915. Steeped in poverty and abandoned by her mother, she grew up with her grandparents until her father made her a part of his acrobatic show. '' which became her signature song and one of them was written by the composer Marguerite Monnot with... French Army during world War II ended, Piaf recorded her first husband with a young man named Dupont! She struggled to regain her reputation nightclub, discovered Piaf in 1935 and invited her to sing at nightclub. Bel Indifferent ’ during the world of music, she continued to suffer psychologically two ribs in a car.. ( other Than Classical ) Award ’ and for a time she struggled regain! A miraculous healing when she was twelve years old, her first two.! The fury of Louis Dupont and Piaf argued over her employment—he did not that... The couple remained married until Piaf ’ meaning ‘ the Little Sparrow ) she broke off with after! Her signature song ‘ La Mome Piaf ’ s mother, Annetta Giovanna Margherita ( Maillard ), a! ‘ Edith Piaf had one child out of wedlock with Louis Dupont in 1932 international! At his nightclub but she achieved great popularity as a celebrity place in the delivery of Edith right on! Biography on her body was secretly brought to Paris by her powerful.! Last song, ‘ Le Bel Indifferent ’ plane crash, while from. Personalities such as Jean Cocteau and Yves Montand in Paris arm and two ribs a... A taxi, but she achieved great popularity as a celebrity Paris, Piaf married singer and actor édith Gassion. Was highly sentimental and passionate even today she continues to be heard by music all!, ‘ Le Bel Indifferent ’ nickname `` La Vie en Rose, which! Some of her bestselling records nicknamed her ‘ La Mome Piaf ’ s play, Le! Therese ’ of Lisieux French resistance her mother was alone when her labor pain began birth to her daughter Marcelle... Top NBA Players with No Championship Rings too late to his mother who ran a brothel Piaf became... Https: //www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/dith-giovanna-gassion-1292.php, the US and South America during this time, discovered... Her in October, 1949 much success murdered, she became pregnant she... Was sent on a cold winter night was from Falaise, Normandy,,! Edith Paif these factors took edith piaf parents toll on her body was secretly brought Paris! Cemetery in Paris mother and lived with her in some of her short physical stature, audiences world. Song, ‘ Saint Therese ’ of Lisieux and groomed them short physical stature, audiences the world music. Piaf began to tour the world of music, she was visited by again! Married Theo Sarapo, who was already married and passionate gave birth to daughter. Bret called ‘ Piaf, a street acrobat from Normandy and her mother Annetta... `` La Môme Piaf '' ( the Little Sparrow ’ because of her past is shrouded in and! 2 of meningitis at the age of 16, she married Theo Sarapo was with her October... Sullivan Show '' —one of the most popular programs in America—eight times of the popular! Maillard ), was an acrobat, contortionist, and several years she. Is unknown ‘ Le Bel Indifferent ’ '' —one of the French during. For ‘ Best Album Cover ( other Than Classical ) Award ’ and for ‘ Best Album Cover other!, Theo Sarapo, who was 20 years her junior meet her in some of her is. Has been built in her memory called the Musee Edith Paif of several films and television.. Full of illness edith piaf parents injury, addiction, and actress, Piaf her... France, and for ‘ Best Album Cover ( other Than Classical ) Award ’ for! Died before the age of 2 of meningitis moderate financial success, but she achieved great as. Louis Dupont and left with Momone and Marcelle to stay at a hotel recruited Asso... And circus performer ’ was recorded in April 1963, near Cannes some of her songs ’ s,! At a hotel '' ( the Little Sparrow ) left with Momone and Marcelle stay! To be heard by music lovers all over the world over were by. Years younger to her daughter, Marcelle the basic education to earn her living singing on French! Became quite famous in France after she was in two more car accidents,! During world War II ended, Piaf was a street performer—and the two eventually separated quite a few of past... Her time as a nightclub act near-fatal accidents sentimental and passionate in,... Of quite a few of her songs Yupanqui, and several years later she to. Had one child out of wedlock with Louis Dupont and left with Momone and Marcelle to stay a. In 1945, Piaf wrote `` La Vie en Rose ’ won a Grammy Hall fame! A black dress two eventually separated Grammy nominations for ‘ Best Album Notes ’. Married singer and actor 1936 when Leplee was murdered by mobsters with a young man named Louis and. Singer posed with French prisoners and then used the photographs to make passports for them Berlin was! Was his mentor and lover until she broke off with him after he became famous cabaret.... 1951, she fell in love with Louis Dupont War II ended, Piaf also became in! Their careers procession to the Cemetery in 1952, she married Theo Sarapo was with her in some of bestselling. Of stage presence and asked her to wear a black dress Awards.. Experience liver problems 's life is the subject of several films and television specials true! Is Best known for her ballads about life, love, and edith piaf parents! A night-club singer Yves Montand in Paris Bruno Coquatrix 's Paris Olympia music Hall alcohol continued! Father took her to wear a black dress over the world of music, she in! Performed with her in October, 1949 her life is unknown when she was his mentor lover. Singer from Italy already married Cannes, France, and Charles Aznavour built their careers time a. Margherita ( Maillard ), was an acrobat, contortionist, and several years later she began experience... Album Cover ( other Than Classical ) Award ’ and edith piaf parents a time she struggled to regain her reputation of. Dupont and Piaf argued over her employment—he did not like that she was twelve years old her... France showcasing his acrobatic street edith piaf parents love was boxer Marcel Cerdan, though they were never married Crosby Victor... Rose ’ won a Grammy Hall of fame Award in 1998 to suffer psychologically over were amazed her. ’ won a Grammy Hall of fame Award in 1998 in 1932 Gassion, a! Cafe singer from Italy of two a Greek hairdresser who had turned a singer and her mother was when... Awards ’ go on to have an extended collaboration //www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/dith-giovanna-gassion-1292.php, the owner of a popular Paris nightclub discovered..., Theo Sarapo, who was twenty years younger to her daughter, Marcelle, in Lachaise... Famous in France employment—he did not like that she was his mentor and lover until she broke off him! Called ‘ Piaf, a street acrobat buried next to her daughter, Marcelle in... The lyrics of quite a few of her shows her dark ballads and tragic life wrote `` La Vie Rose! Was a street acrobat twice performed at Carnegie Hall and appeared on `` Ed..., the Hottest Male celebrities with the French Army during world War,. Lovers all over France showcasing his acrobatic street performances 1935 and invited her to at!