Shania Twain is a huge star known all over the globe. But her life wasn’t always as shiny as people might think. It’s interesting to learn about the childhood of your favorite celebrity.
Now she rules the music charts and travels everywhere, but it didn’t start that way. Her life was not easy at all.
Keep reading to discover more about her early years, which may surprise you.
Born into a family struggling with poverty in Timmins, Ontario, Shania had a rough beginning. Her stepdad worked a low-paying job in reforestation while her mom dealt with depression, making things even tougher. As one of five kids, she learned quickly how to get by without much.
She started singing in bars and performing; however soon enough she had more responsibilities than just doing gigs now and then. She ended up taking care of her siblings.
Since money was always tight for her family, she often went without basic needs like food or heat.
She realized that her life was different from other kids when she’d sit at lunch without any food while watching classmates eat their meals hoping they’d leave some behind for her.
The young girl would tell teachers that she forgot her lunch either at home or in the locker. Music became an escape from the tough realities around her.
She would head into the woods with her guitar, light a small fire and lose herself in song; this helped distract from the weight of responsibilities and poverty pressing down on her.
First taste of performing
Her mother noticed Shania’s talent early on and took her to perform at local bars starting when she was just 8 years old! She sang after midnight when customers were already drinking since legally she couldn’t be there while alcohol was served at that age.
At 11 years old, Shania got permission to perform earlier but didn’t earn money until turning fourteen. She also began working at McDonald’s—a job she later called “saving grace” because it provided pay along with regular meals which were rare for them!
After school she’d work there then sing late into night; it made for an exhausting schedule! Still focused on music though hoping for better days ahead.
But besides financial struggles, there were other issues too—her stepfather adopted Shania & siblings legally but he was harsh & abusive creating a scary home environment for them all!
She remembers having to protect herself against his violence including one time throwing a chair back at him out of self-defense saying later “I think much of that came from anger not courage.”
The abuse lasted quite some time adding onto trauma—when ten years old he began sexually abusing Shania too! Keeping this secret weighed heavily until finally feeling brave enough talk about it publicly later on!
Some trauma remained unresolved because when 22 years old both parents died suddenly in car accident leaving Shania responsible caring younger siblings being second oldest child.
A new job
Wanting everyone together led Shaina taking singing gig nearby resort giving small home during stressful times waking up chopping wood heating house getting siblings off school before singing late nights!
As teenager needed maintain polished singer image never having time focus self before now required take care herself!
The big break
As siblings grew independent more able focus own career recording demo sending out record labels hard work paid off signing Mercury Nashville marking start musical journey!
With career kicking off met famous producer they collaborated turned romantic eventually marrying each other developing unique musical style co-writing producing together growing fame reaching massive audiences worldwide through songs created together!!
But success brought challenges noticing voice setbacks took decade diagnose Lyme disease affecting vocal cords.
Had take break surgery left raspier voice than before embracing difference focusing music still working well partnership husband Robert Mutt Lange son Eja D’Angelo Lange born together personally doing great till discovered cheating affair close friend Marie-Anne Thiébaud previously worked secretary!!
Unexpected ally found Frédéric Thiébaud husband blindsided by affair relationship started mutual devastation turning romantic marrying two beginning new chapter lives!!
Twain shared no longer holds resentment ex-husband acknowledging what did help musical career child share together!!
The singer has experienced everything highs lows throughout life! Wishing best future ahead share this story fellow fans who might not know these details!
