Shania Twain’s Inspiring Journey
Shania Twain is a global superstar today, but her early life was far from glamorous. Born in Timmins, Ontario, to a struggling family, she grew up in poverty with little food, heat, or electricity. Her stepfather’s low-paying job and her mother’s depression made life difficult for Shania and her four siblings.
To help her family, she began singing in bars at age eight. Despite exhaustion from juggling school, work at McDonald’s, and late-night performances, music became her escape. Behind the scenes, she also endured abuse from her stepfather, both physical and sexual, which she kept secret for years.
At 22, tragedy struck when her parents died in a car crash. Shania took responsibility for raising her younger siblings, working at a resort to provide for them. Once they were grown, she pursued her own dream, recording demos that led to a deal with Mercury Nashville and the launch of her career.
She married music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, with whom she co-wrote hits that made her a household name. However, she later struggled with vocal issues caused by Lyme disease and faced heartbreak when Lange had an affair with her close friend’s wife.
In an unexpected twist, she found love again with Frédéric Thiébaud, the ex-husband of the woman involved in the affair. They married in 2011, and Twain has since embraced her past with forgiveness, gratitude, and a renewed passion for music.