Edith Piaf, real name Edith Giovanna Gassion, was born in Paris on the 19 December 1915 and died in Grasse, France on October 11, 1963. She was a French cabaret singer songwriter. She is considered the archetype of French singers – a national treasure – and 50 years after her death, remains the most famous French performer both in France and throughout the world.
She became known as “la Môme Piaf” (“The Little Sparrow”) from an early age, due to her extreme stage fright and her small stature (she was only 4’8” tall) and performed songs which became great classics such as: La Vie en Rose, Non je ne regrette rien, Hymne à l’amour, Mon légionnaire, La foule, Milord, Mon Dieu, L’Accordéoniste. She inspired songwriters and mentored many young artists. She received international success over her lifetime, despite a difficult and tragic end to her career due to serious health problems.
