On July 22, 1946, Mireille Mathieu, the world-renowned, talented, and legendary French singer, was born. She is called the “ambassador of French song,” with her recordings having sold 135 million albums and over 55 million singles, comprising a repertoire of 1,000 songs in various languages. She has performed before diverse audiences in many countries worldwide.

Mathieu first appeared before French television viewers on November 21, 1965, singing “Jezebel.” Her performance caused a sensation. Many believed that Édith Piaf was back on stage, so similar was Mathieu’s voice to that of the singer who had passed away just two years earlier. The following day, professional producer Johnny Stark signed a contract with her father. This marked the beginning of her career as a professional singer. She was taught everything that makes up a singer’s craft: vocals, music theory, stage presence, proper speech, etiquette, and much more, which Mireille could not learn in her childhood. On Christmas Eve 1966, Mireille performed at France’s most prestigious concert hall, “Olympia.” Her premiere was attended by many stars of the French music scene. Mireille Mathieu was the first Western performer to give concerts in China.

Of course, there were always rumors about her, including that Alain Delon loved her or that she had “something” with Charlie Chaplin. Why did the great singer, beautiful woman, and style icon wrap herself in a cocoon of loneliness throughout her life, avoiding serious romances and marriage? She sang about love, but she herself seemed enchanted, protected from these charms – it seemed that no man could seriously touch her heart. Or did she possess something so precious that she had to hide this feeling from any careless glance, burying it deep in her heart? Perhaps she never fully believed she could be loved, and even after becoming a dazzling star, she never began to trust the world and continues to keep silent to this day.