Shania Twain has since become one of the most popular country music artists ever since she graced the genre in the mid-1990s. She’s not only one of the best-selling female artists in country music history but is one of the best-selling artists of all time – selling more than a hundred million records throughout her career.
While many could hum a few bars from her biggest hits, not everyone knows her life story. Check out these fun facts below.
1. She’s a native of Windsor, Ontario.
Born Eilleen Regina Edwards on August 28, 1965, the country superstar went through a difficult childhood. Her parents struggled making ends meet, and that food was often scarce in their household. On top of that, her mother and stepfather’s marriage were most of the time turbulent, which led to violence and her mother’s depression. Eventually, Twain’s mother ran away with her and her siblings to a homeless shelter in Toronto.
2. She started singing at bars at a young age.
Shania Twain was only eight years old when she began singing at bars to help her family’s needs. She would often earn $20 by performing for the remaining customers between midnight and 1 AM. While she hated singing in those bars and being with drunks, she looked on the brighter side by considering it as her own kind of performing-arts school.
3. She worked with her father’s reforestation business.
In the early 1980s, Twain joined his father’s Ojibwe and Cree workers in reforestation in northern Ontario. There, Twain experienced a rugged existence, where she would walk miles and miles every day while carrying heavy loads of trees.
4. She wrote her first song when she was ten.
Twain wrote the tune called “Mama Won’t You Come Out to Play,” a poignant ballad dedicated to her mother, who was sad a lot of time and “always very isolating of herself.”
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5. She received some financial boost from American actor-director Sean Penn.
Twain worked with Penn in 1993 when he directed the country star’s music video for her sophomore single. Back then, Twain was still a scrambling singer. So, Penn gave her $100 to help her get by.
6. She’s gone to outer space.
Or so it seems! Shania Twain songs were actually blasted into the cosmos. In 2001, her hit song “Honey, I’m Home” was used as a wake up call to the crew members of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Meanwhile, her song “Up!” was played to wake up the astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
7. She met her second husband in a very strange way.
In 1993, Twain married music producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange, who produced and wrote most of her songs. Sadly, the two called it quits after fourteen years of marriage. Lange was allegedly caught having an affair with Twain’s friend and personal assistant, Marie-Anne Thiébaud.
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Although it was a series of heartbreaking events, Twain said she wouldn’t change a thing as it led her to the love of her life, whom she married in 2010. Who was this mystery man? Well, it’s none other than Thiébaud’s ex-husband, Frederic Thiebaud!
Indeed, Shania Twain lived a colorful life like a country music song.
