Early Life and Struggles
Born Eilleen Regina Edwards in 1965, Shania Twain grew up in poverty in Timmins, Ontario. After her mother married Jerry Twain, who adopted Shania and her siblings, the family struggled financially.
“We’d go to bed hungry sometimes,” Shania recalled, describing winters without heat or electricity. Music became her escape and a way to help the family. By age 8, she was singing in bars; by 14, she was earning small fees for performances. Though the experience was difficult, she said, “I loved the music, and that part made it worth it.”
Responsibility and Loss
Despite her talent, Shania held jobs like working at McDonald’s, which she called her “saving grace.”
Tragedy struck at 22 when her parents died in a car accident. She put her career on hold to raise her younger siblings, taking a singing job at Deerhurst Resort. The position allowed her to support her family while continuing to perform. “It was a huge responsibility, but I didn’t think twice,” she later said.
Breakthrough and Fame
Shania signed with Mercury Nashville in the early 1990s. Her debut album was modestly received, but 1995’s The Woman in Me brought her fame with hits like “Any Man of Mine.” Her 1997 album Come On Over became the best-selling studio album by a female artist. Songs like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” made her a global star.
Leave a Reply