Gina Heslop
Shania Twain, a world-famous singer, did not always live the glamorous life she has today. Her journey from poverty to stardom is both inspiring and remarkable.
A Difficult Childhood
Shania Twain was born Eilleen Regina Edwards on August 28, 1965, in Timmins, Ontario, Canada. Her childhood was filled with hardship.
Her family struggled with poverty, and her mother, Sharon, suffered from depression. Shania’s stepfather, Jerry Twain, worked a low-paying forestry job, and the family often lacked basic necessities like food, heating, and electricity.
As one of five children, Shania learned early on to live with very little. She often went to school hungry, hoping her classmates would leave leftovers she could eat.
Despite her tough reality, she found comfort in music. She would take her guitar into the woods, light a small fire, and let her music take her away from her troubles.
Early Music Career
Noticing Shania’s talent, her mother began taking her to local bars to perform when she was just eight years old. Since children were not allowed in bars where alcohol was served, Shania performed late at night, after the customers had already been served.
By the age of eleven, she was allowed to sing earlier in the evening. She also worked at McDonald’s, which she called her “saving grace” because it provided her with a steady income and regular meals.
Shania’s schedule was exhausting. She would go to school, work at McDonald’s, and then sing at bars late into the night. Despite the hardship, she stayed focused on her dream of a better life.
Challenges at Home
Life at home was difficult, too. Her stepfather officially adopted her and her siblings, but he was abusive. Shania endured physical and sexual abuse.
She recalled standing up to him once by throwing a chair, saying her reaction was more out of anger than courage. She kept the abuse a secret for years, haunted by the trauma until she finally spoke about it publicly.
When Shania was 22, tragedy struck. Her mother and stepfather died in a car accident. Suddenly, Shania became responsible for her younger siblings.
To keep the family together, she took a singing job at a nearby resort, where she could provide a home for them. Her days were long and exhausting, filled with chores, work, and performances.
A Breakthrough in Music
As her siblings grew older, Shania could focus more on her career. She recorded a demo and sent it to record labels, eventually catching the attention of Mercury Nashville. This was the start of her professional music career.
She soon met Robert “Mutt” Lange, a well-known music producer. Their partnership quickly turned romantic, and they married. Together, they co-wrote and produced Shania’s songs, crafting a unique sound that helped her rise to fame. Hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “That Don’t Impress Me Much” made her a global sensation.
Health Struggles and Heartbreak
While her career flourished, Shania began having trouble with her voice. It took ten years to discover that Lyme disease had damaged her vocal cords. She had to undergo surgery, which changed her voice, making it raspier. Shania embraced this change and continued to focus on her music.
However, her personal life took a devastating turn when she discovered her husband was having an affair with her close friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud. Heartbroken, Shania found an unexpected ally in Marie-Anne’s husband, Frédéric Thiébaud. Their shared pain brought them together, and their friendship eventually blossomed into love. Shania and Frédéric married in 2011.
A New Chapter
Shania has moved on from the betrayal and holds no bitterness toward her ex-husband. She is grateful for the role he played in her music career and for their son, Eja D’Angelo Lange.
