# 4692 - 2012 First-Class Forever Stamp - Edith Piaf
Birth Of Edith Piaf
The future star was named after Edith Cavell, a World War I nurse that had helped French soldiers escape Germany. She took the name Piaf (slang for sparrow) in her 20s.
Born the illegitimate daughter of a café singer and a street acrobat, Piaf was raised in her grandmother’s brothel. Then in 1929, at the age of 14, she joined her father in street performances all over France. These performances also marked her first time singing in public. Piaf eventually left her father and began performing in an acrobatic trio and as a street singer in the suburbs of Paris. Three years later, a romance with a delivery boy ended in the birth of a daughter, who would die of meningitis before the age of two.
With Leplée’s help, Piaf produced two records by the age of 20. After Leplée was murdered she was briefly considered as an accessory but was acquitted. Piaf then began a relationship with Raymond Asso to help improve her image and he helped keep her away from questionable people.
Click here to listen to Piaf’s signature song.
Birth Of Edith Piaf
The future star was named after Edith Cavell, a World War I nurse that had helped French soldiers escape Germany. She took the name Piaf (slang for sparrow) in her 20s.
Born the illegitimate daughter of a café singer and a street acrobat, Piaf was raised in her grandmother’s brothel. Then in 1929, at the age of 14, she joined her father in street performances all over France. These performances also marked her first time singing in public. Piaf eventually left her father and began performing in an acrobatic trio and as a street singer in the suburbs of Paris. Three years later, a romance with a delivery boy ended in the birth of a daughter, who would die of meningitis before the age of two.
With Leplée’s help, Piaf produced two records by the age of 20. After Leplée was murdered she was briefly considered as an accessory but was acquitted. Piaf then began a relationship with Raymond Asso to help improve her image and he helped keep her away from questionable people.
Click here to listen to Piaf’s signature song.