If heroes get remembered and legends never die, then Édith Piaf will live forever.

Édith Piaf was a chanteuse unlike any other of her time. She rose to fame in the 1930s and led a life just as incredible as her music. From a street performer to an icon, Édith overcame incredible obstacles to reach the top. Her songs like “La Vien En Rose” and “Je Ne Regrette Rien” are still some of the most popular ballads played today.

Born into poverty to a street singer and an acrobat, Édith had an unconventional childhood, some of which was spent being raised in a brothel and traveling with the circus.

After WW2 broke out Édith aided the French Resistance by covertly helping prisoners of war escape from Germany, saving lives at the risk of her own.

Her fame in France was unmatched, though addiction and tragedy would cause her ending to come far too soon.

Today, join me for Part 1 of 2 on the life and legend of Edith Piaf, “the Little Sparrow.”