Edith Piaf

In 1932, she fell in love with Louis Dupont. He moved in with her and Momone. He persuaded her to stop street performances. When she became pregnant, she started working in a wreath-making factory.

In 1933, she gave birth to her daughter, Marcelle. She returned to street singing much to the fury of Louis Dupont, whom she never married. They quarrelled frequently.

Edith parted ways with Louis Dupont and left with Momone and Marcelle to stay at a hotel. Marcelle died of meningitis at the age of two.

Edith Piaf was born as Giovanna Gassion. Her father was Louis-Alphonse Gassion, a street acrobat from Normandy and her mother was Annetta Giovanna Maillard, a cafe singer from Italy.

She was abandoned by her mother and lived with her maternal grandmother. Her father, before enlisting with the French Army during World War I, took her to his mother who ran a brothel.

When she was twelve years old, her father took her with him and travelled all over France showcasing his acrobatic street performances. She did not receive any formal education.

In 1930, she met Simone ‘Momone’ Berteaut, a half-sister and companion, and together they toured, singing, to earn money for themselves in the suburbs of Paris.

In 1935, Louis Leplee, persuaded her to sing at his nightclub. He nicknamed her ‘La Mome Piaf’ meaning ‘The Little Sparrow’ because of her short height.

Leplee taught her the basics of stage presence and asked her to wear a black dress. It was to become her trademark look. Her opening night was attended by many celebrities including, Maurice Chevalier.

In 1936, Leplee was murdered. She was arrested and later acquitted. Her reputation was ruined. She recruited Raymond Asso to give her an image makeover. He gave her the stage name, ‘Edith Piaf’.

In 1940, she starred in Jean Cocteau’s play, ‘Le Bel Indifferent’. She became friends with personalities such as, Maurice Chevalier and Jacques Borgeat. She wrote the lyrics and partnered with composers.

In 1944, she discovered Yves Montand in Paris. She included him in her act. She was his mentor and lover until she broke off with him after he became famous.

Among her most popular songs are "Mon legionnaire", "Hymne a l'amour", "Sous le ciel de Paris", "Milord" and, probably the best known, "Je ne regrette rien", all of which catapulted her to great fame.