Mireille Mathieu (born July 22, 1946) is a French singer. She was born in Avignon, Vaucluse, France, the eldest daughter of a poor family of fourteen children. She began singing as a small child, appearing in public at the age of four, singing in her church. Driven to succeed and a hard worker, as a young girl she worked in a factory, saving her money to pay for singing lessons.
Discovered by Johnny Stark, manager of France's biggest star at the time, Johnny Hallyday, she was tutored by orchestra leader Paul Mauriat. After her television performance in 1965 and debut run at the Paris Olympia, her haunting voice was such that she was immediately hailed as the next Edith Piaf.
Singles such as "Mon Credo," and "C'est Ton Nom," made her a huge star in France and all over Europe while providing a modest success in North America. Her French language cover of Engelbert Humperdinck's "The Last Waltz" generated much publicity in Great Britain and with hit after hit, she soon toured Canada and the United States where she appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and the Danny Kaye Show. In Las Vegas, she sang with Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to great applause.
Mireille Mathieu became one of France's most successful singers, and a star of international stature, recording in several languages. She sold about 150.000.000 copies of her albums in 35 years of career. Over the years she sang duets with such luminaries as Charles Aznavour, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Placido Domingo and others.
Songs such as "Acropolis adieu," "Ne me quitte pas," and "Santa Maria de la mer," are considered classics. Her French version of Roy Orbison's ballad, "Blue Bayou", is regarded by many as one of the best covers of that popular song.
Still much in demand, she continues to perform regularly and in 2002, she released her 37th French album.
See also: Marianne