Mireille Mathieu was destined to be a singer from the very beginning. Born in Avignon, she was the eldest daughter of Marcelle and Roger Mathieu, a family of 14 children. Her first public performance took place when she was just 4 years old, at Midnight Mass, showcasing her remarkable talent even at such a tender age.
Her father, a stonecutter for the cemetery, had also dreamed of singing with his tenor voice, and Mireille's early life was filled with music. As a child, she worked hard to save up for singing lessons, and her voice instructor, Laure Collière, recognized her potential and accepted her as a student.
As Mireille grew older, she continued to hone her craft, and in her biography "Mon Credo", she recounts a time of great distress when she prayed to God to create a miracle to help her escape poverty. Her prayers were answered when Johnny Stark, the manager of French pop sensation Johnny Hallyday, discovered her enchanting vocal beauty on the TV show "Jeu de la Chance" and offered her a contract.
With the guidance of Johnny Stark, Mireille's career took off, and she quickly became known as the next Édith Piaf. Her 1965 performance run at the Paris Olympia led to a recording contract with Barclay Records, and her first album sold over 1 million copies in a remarkably short time.
Mireille's hard work and dedication paid off, as she went on to achieve success not only in France but also in Germany, the United States, Russia, and the rest of the world. In 1974, she won the prestigious German "Bambi" Music Award, equivalent to the American Grammy Award.
Throughout her illustrious career, Mireille has been recognized for her contributions to the world of music. In 1997, she was nominated and decorated with the "Chevalier de l'Ordre National du Mérite et des Arts et des Lettres" and the "Legion of Honor" for her service to the Nation of France.
Mireille's music has touched the hearts of millions, and her reception by Pope John Paul II, who referred to her as the "singer of love and peace", is a testament to her enduring impact on the world. For many, Mireille is a true gift from God, as her last name literally translates to "gift from God".
