The Secret And Mysterious Life of: Edith Piaf

Edith Piaf, 1946. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Edith Piaf was a legendary French singer, songwriter, and actress who was born on December 19, 1915, and died on October 11, 1963. Her music continues to captivate audiences today, over 50 years after her death. Despite her immense popularity, Edith Piaf lived a life filled with mystery and secrets that have intrigued fans for decades. Here are some of the most intriguing secrets about this legendary performer.

Mysterious Parentage

One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Edith Piaf is her parentage. She was born in Belleville, a working-class neighborhood in Paris, and was raised in poverty. Her birth certificate lists her mother, Annetta Maillard, as a single mother, and her father's identity is not specified. Edith was said to have been abandoned by her mother and raised by her grandmother, who was a street singer. Throughout her life, Edith was known to have lied about her background, and the true identity of her father remains a mystery to this day.

Life on the Streets

Edith's childhood was filled with hardship, and she spent much of her early life living on the streets. She was known to have sung for money in the streets, which is how she got her start in the music industry. Despite her difficult upbringing, Edith was able to find success in the music industry, and she rose to fame as a performer in the 1930s.

Edith Piaf as a child. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Illicit Affairs

Edith was known to have had several romantic relationships throughout her life, and some of them were with some of the most famous men of her time. She was rumored to have had affairs with the French boxer Marcel Cerdan and the French singer Yves Montand. These affairs caused much scandal at the time and added to the mystery surrounding Edith's personal life.

Tragic Losses

Edith's life was marked by several tragic losses, including the death of her daughter, Marcelle, who died at the age of two from meningitis. Edith was devastated by the loss of her daughter, and her grief was compounded by her own health problems. She was known to have suffered from poor health throughout her life and was addicted to drugs and alcohol.

French Resistance

One lesser-known secret about Edith Piaf is that she was involved in the French Resistance during World War II. Despite her fame and success, she used her celebrity status to support the resistance movement and worked to help Jewish children escape Nazi-occupied France. This aspect of her life was not widely known at the time, and she kept it a secret out of fear for her own safety and the safety of those she was helping. Her involvement in the resistance further highlights her bravery and compassion, and adds another layer to the already rich and complex legacy of Edith Piaf.

Photograph of Edith Piaf and the Compagnons de la Chanson taken in 1946 at 49 avenue d'Iéna in the 16th arr. from Paris. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Death at a Young Age

Edith Piaf died at the young age of 47, and her death was shrouded in mystery. She was found dead in her apartment in Paris, and the cause of death was officially listed as liver cancer. However, rumors have persisted that her death was the result of an overdose, and her untimely death only added to the mystery surrounding her life.

Edith Piaf's life was filled with mystery and secrets, but her music continues to captivate audiences to this day. Her voice and her music have touched the hearts of people all over the world, and her legacy continues to live on. Despite the many secrets and mysteries surrounding her life, Edith Piaf will always be remembered as one of the greatest singers in the history of French music. Her music continues to inspire and move people, and she will always be remembered as a true icon of the music world.

Edith Piaf signature. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).