Shania Twain, the best-selling female artist in country music history and one of the top-selling music artists of all time, will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Known as the “Queen of Country Pop,” Shania became a global superstar in the 1990s. Yet, her road to fame wasn’t without its hardships. Growing up in poverty, Shania often went hungry. Then, at just 22, her life changed dramatically due to a heartbreaking tragedy.
Shania was born Eilleen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, on August 28, 1965. She later adopted the last name Twain when her mother, Sharon, married Jerry Twain.
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Shania’s biological father wasn’t around, so her stepfather Jerry legally adopted and raised her and her two sisters. In Shania’s words, “My father (Jerry) went out of his way to raise three daughters that weren’t even his. Acknowledging another man as my father would have hurt him terribly.”
Shania’s childhood was tough. Growing up in the rural town of Timmins, Canada, her stepfather worked hard but earned little, struggling to support the family.
Shania Twain and her sisters often didn’t have enough to eat. Sometimes, all they had was a dish called “goulash,” made of dry bread, boiled milk, and brown sugar. During cold Canadian winters, Shania had to wear bread bags on her feet because her family couldn’t afford proper boots.
Despite these challenges, Shania never revealed their situation, fearing the authorities might separate her family.
Her home life was also unstable. The marriage between her mother and stepfather had its problems. Shania once convinced her mom to leave Jerry, leading them to a homeless shelter in Toronto. However, by 16, Shania’s mom decided to return to Jerry.
Due to this unstable environment, Shania said she lived in “survivor mode” even as an adult, feeling she couldn’t rely on her parents.
At eight, Shania began singing in bars to help pay the bills, earning up to $20 a night, a significant help for her family despite the risks.
Music became her solace. “My deepest passion was music, and it helped. Despite disliking the bar atmosphere, the love for music helped me survive,” she said in *Shania Twain: The Biography*.
Performing in bars and retirement homes in Canada honed her stage presence. At 13, she got her break on *The Tommy Hunter Show* on CBC Television, showcasing her talents.
In the mid-1980s, Shania, now a struggling singer-songwriter, joined her first band, Longshot, at 16 and later moved to Toronto at 21 to further pursue her dreams.
Her talent didn’t go unnoticed. Mary Bailey, a famous country singer, was amazed after seeing Shania perform. “I saw this little girl up on stage with a guitar, and it blew me away,” Bailey recalled, impressed by Shania’s voice and emotion.
Bailey, who later became Shania’s manager, knew Shania had star potential. “She sang songs she had written, showing wisdom beyond her years,” Bailey said.
By 1987, Shania was on the brink of a breakthrough in Nashville. Tragedy struck, however, when her parents died in a car crash, leaving Shania to care for her younger siblings.
Shania returned to her hometown of Timmins to take care of her siblings, putting her budding music career on hold.
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She later moved to Huntsville, Ontario, working as a singer and dancer at Deerhurst Resort. During this time, Shania contemplated giving up music to support her family, but continued to develop her skills.
Working at Deerhurst led to a demo tape that caught the eye of a Mercury Nashville Records executive. Invited to Nashville, Shania released her first album, *Shania Twain*, in 1993, receiving positive reviews despite modest sales.
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South African record producer Mutt Lange loved Shania’s music and reached out to her. Meeting at Nashville’s Fan Fair in 1993, they began working together and soon married.
Shania and Mutt co-wrote many hits, leading to albums *The Woman in Me* (1995) and *Come On Over* (1997), which skyrocketed her to fame. *The Woman in Me* sold over 12 million copies in the US, turning Shania into a star overnight.
*Come On Over* combined country and rock elements, selling 40 million copies worldwide and featuring hits like “You’re Still The One” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman.”
Shania Twain said, “I was just being myself, letting my personality come through in the music.”
By 2001, *Come On Over* became the ninth best-selling album in the US and the top-selling country album ever.
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On August 12, 2001, Shania and Mutt Lange welcomed their son, Eja, born in Switzerland with little media attention.
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Despite keeping her pregnancy private, Shania’s later divorce became very public. Her marriage ended due to Mutt’s affair with her best friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
Shania was heartbroken, saying the betrayal severely affected her self-esteem.
Yet, love found Shania again. In 2011, she married businessman Frédéric Thiébaud, Marie-Anne’s ex-husband. They bonded over their shared heartbreak.
Shania appreciated anew every day with Fred, calling him her “true friend and a dear gentleman.”
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Living in Corseaux, Switzerland, Shania rarely gives interviews. She continues to perform in Las Vegas, showcasing her award-winning career.
Shania also ventured into acting, appearing in films like *Trading Paint* (2019) and *I Still Believe* (2020).
Though not as frequently in the spotlight, Shania’s influence remains. Artists like Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and Carrie Underwood cite her as an inspiration.
Carrie Underwood said, “Shania’s music was revolutionary. She paved the way for many of us.”
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Known for her stylish outfits and supermodel looks, Shania was voted the No. 1 Most Beautiful Canadian by Hello! magazine in 2009. She credits her youthful appearance to being a vegetarian, eating raw food, and meditating daily.
She said, “A happy heart comes first, then the happy face.”
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Now 59, Shania candidly discusses aging. She admitted to feeling insecure about her changing body but has chosen to accept it.
In a 2020 interview on the LadyGang podcast, she said, “Aging is a battle you can’t win. I’ve started focusing on things that matter, like writing songs.”
Shania Twain remains an inspiring figure, showing resilience through her life’s ups and downs. She’s still stunning and shows us all how to persevere with grace and determination.
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