Édith Piaf, French singer-songwriter, 1915-1963

Édith Piaf, born Édith Giovanna Gassion, was a French singer-songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress noted as France's national chanteuse and one of the country's most widely known international stars. Piaf's music was often autobiographical and she specialized in chanson and torch ballads about love, loss and sorrow. Her most widely known songs include "La Vie en rose" (1946), "Non, je ne regrette rien" (1960), "Hymne à l'amour" (1949), "Milord" (1959), "La Foule" (1957), "L'Accordéoniste" (1940) and "Padam, padam..." (1951). Since her death in 1963, several biographies and films have studied her life. Piaf has become one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century.