Corrections? One did not breathe without the other two. She also continued a series of affairs with the likes of actor Paul Meurisse, composer Henri Contet and, most notably, boxing champion Marcel Cerdan. Piaf reportedly became blind at age three as a complication of meningitis but recovered her sight four years later. She was the subject of several biographies as well as plays and movies. In the mid-1940s she became a mentor to the young Yves Montand, and she worked with him in the film Étoile sans lumière (1946; “Star Without Light”). Publicity Listings The bordello had two floors and seven rooms, and the prostitutes were not very numerous, "about ten poor girls" as she later described, in fact five or six were permanent and a dozen for market and any busy days. She is mentioned in the song "Lady Nina" by rock band, Helped to launch many careers including that of. Dramatic portrait of French chanteuse Edith Piaf … https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/dith-giovanna-gassion-1292.php At the age of 19 Edith was "discovered" by Louis Leplée, proprietor of the club Le Gerny -- a swank establishment by Edith… She often accompanied her father's acrobat street act with her singing and at various times was forced to live with various relatives, in alleys or in cheap hotels. Dramatic portrait of French chanteuse Edith Piaf Photo filed 9/7/1955 BPA2. Edith Piaf was a French singer. French cabaret artist Edith Piaf is best known for her ballads about life, love, and sorrow. Two serious car accidents suffered in 1951 led to a morphine and alcohol addiction that left Piaf's life skidding out of control despite a potentially happy marriage in 1952 to actor Jacques Pills. young Edith Piaf here as a child c 1918. Her mother was half Italian by her father and half Kabyle (Algerian) on her mother's side. Among her most popular songs are "Mon légionnaire" (1936), "La vie en rose" (1945), "Hymne à l'amour" (1949), "Sous le ciel de Paris" (1954), "Milord" (1959) and, the probably best known, "Non, je ne regrette rien" (1960). She managed to survive the messy affair and carry on while her ever-growing society circle now began to include such elite members as writer/director Jean Cocteau. Edith Piaf last relationship was with the young hairdresser Teo Sarapo (Theophanis Lambukas), an immigrant from Greece. Liebende in Paris, heißt es da, finden ihren eigenen seltsamen Weg. In 1935 Edith Piaf was discovered by a cabaret owner who gave her her first nightclub job. Albeit her short physical stature, audiences the world over were amazed by her powerful vocals. In 1935 Piaf made her theatrical debut, and within a few years she was singing in the large music halls of Paris. He began calling her “la môme piaf,” Parisian slang for “little sparrow,” a name she later adopted professionally. He was much taller than the singer and almost half her age; in addition to that, Edith was already suffering from a number of diseases by that time. You never know a guy till you've tried him in bed. |  Born in Paris practically on the streets on December 19, 1915, she struggled from day one, the daughter of street performers. Much of her past is shrouded in mystery and may have been embellished during her time as a celebrity. She sang in the streets of Paris, earning a meagre living while often in the company of petty criminals. Over the years this would include Yves Montand and Eddie Constantine. Premium Membership is now 50% off! young Edith Piaf here as a child c 1918. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Edith-Piaf, Edith Piaf - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Official Sites. Piaf was blinded by complications of meningitis but recovered her sight four years later. "Cage the Songbird," is particularly noteworthy as it recalls the life of Edith Piaf in much the same way that "Candle in the Wind" had immortalized Marilyn Monroe. In 1935 she was discovered by Louis Leplée, a cabaret owner, who gave her her first nightclub job. The latter's death in a 1949 plane crash left Piaf broken and devastated. Initially her material was standard music hall fare, but eventually she had songwriters such as Marguerite Monnot and Michel Emer writing songs specifically for her. A few years after that she joined her father, a circus acrobat, and accompanied him while he performed. Piaf remains the epitome of the French singer in heart, soul, style and passion. Piaf also took to writing and composing around this time; one of the over 80 songs she wrote included her signature standard, "La vie en rose." I'm no longer on earth. Edith Piaf was a French cabaret singer who became famous throughout the world during the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. Piaf's mother abandoned her at birth, and she lived for a short time with her maternal grandmother, Emma (Aïcha). Devastated, Piaf returned to the streets she knew, now performing solo.Her fortunes finally changed when an impresario, Louis Leplee, mesmerized by what he heard, offered the starving but talented urchin a contract. Although she appeared sporadically in films, it was live audiences that sustained her.Piaf later toured the United States to branch out internationally. Was romantically involved with boxer Marcel Cerdan when he died tragically in a plane crash between Paris and Casablanca (1949). Edith Piaf. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Save 50% off a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Black Friday Sale! Had a child named Marcelle who died at the age of two, in 1935, from meningitis. You know more about a guy in one night in bed than you do in months of conversation. Despite many problems throughout her career, Piaf eventually became the most highly paid star in the world. Der Morgen graut, als ich fertig bin. Edith Piaf was a French singer whose expressive interpretations of the chanson, or French ballad, made her internationally famous. In her later life, Piaf was involved in several serious car accidents, and she suffered from failing health, partly due to alcohol and drug abuse. Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net, Other Works - IMDb Mini Biography By: FrenchAlgerian boxer Marcel Cerdan the singer Edith Piaf and Mathilda Nail getting off a plane at Orly. When her father enlisted with the French Army in 1916 to fight in World War I, he took her to his mother, who ran a brothel in Bernay, Normandy. FrenchAlgerian boxer Marcel Cerdan the singer Edith Piaf and Mathilda Nail getting off a plane at Orly. Had a child named Marcelle who died at the age of two, in 1935, from meningitis. A museum was dedicated in her honor. Her only child, a daughter Marcelle Dupont, died in 1935 from a meningitis aged 2. Updates? She died in poverty on the same day as her friend Cocteau and at the age of 47, the same age as her equally tortured American counterpart, Judy Garland. Among her trademark songs were “Non, je ne regrette rien” (“No, I Don’t Regret Anything”) and “La Vie en rose” (“Life in Pink”). Her death was mourned across France, and thousands lined the route of her funeral procession. America was slow to accept the melodramatic Piaf but she persevered and eventually won legions of fans. It tells the fictional story of torch singer Edith Piaf's last hours before a tragic suicide. For me, singing is a way of escaping. |  Accompanying her father while he performed as an acrobat, she sang in the streets of Paris for money. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. After living with her maternal grandmother for a short time, she was raised by her paternal grandmother, who ran a brothel in Normandy. It was the only time since WWII that Parisian traffic was completely stopped. Her last recorded song was "L'homme de Berlin" in 1963, the year of her death. For many devotees, Piaf IS France. Piaf grew in status entertaining in elegant cafés and cabarets and became a singing sensation amid the chic French society with her throbbing vocals and raw, emotional power.From 1936, Piaf recorded many albums and eventually became one of the highest paid stars in the world. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Piaf gave birth to a daughter in 1932, but the child died two years later from meningitis. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. She had an affair with the middleweight boxer Marcel Cerdan, who died in a plane crash on his way to meet her. Her unhappy personal life and unadorned though dramatic style underlined her expressive voice, and she was able to move audiences with her passionate rendition of songs that were often about loss and love.