Biography of Charles Aznavour. Charles Aznavour - biography, information, personal life Charles Aznavour short biography

Charles Aznavour is a singer, composer, actor and poet. His name is known to millions, his songs are listened to in all corners globe and today, they are no less popular than 70 years ago. Legend of the 20th century - this is the name of the world chansonnier, who at 91 years old still enjoys worldwide fame and love.

Thousands of articles have been written about Aznavour’s work, many programs have been shown, while personal life the artist always remained behind the scenes. Aznavour's novels, personal relationships and wives never made it to the pages of the press. It is known that the singer was married three times and became a father six times.

The singer's first two marriages did not last long. “People make mistakes, it's a common thing. When I got married for the first time, I was too young and so was she: she was 17 and I was 21. Micheline and I had a daughter, Seda. This marriage lasted five years. My second wife's name was Evelyn, she's completely different, more short story, and again erroneous", says Charles.

Aznavour has lived with his third wife for almost half a century. Aznavour married Swede Ulla Topsel in 1967. The couple had their wedding in Las Vegas, and upon arrival in France they also got married in Armenian Church. “You cannot marry and force her to be exactly like you. It is necessary to seek and find compromises, to constantly choose how to live and think. What is especially important is how to think. This is not difficult for me - I saw how my parents lived. Although, of course, it was easier for them - both mother and father are Armenians, although from different countries: father is from Georgia, and mother is from Turkey. I'm French Armenian origin, my parents belonged to the Armenian church, and Ulla is Swedish from a Protestant family. But this does not bother us; among Protestants everything is correct and straightforward. It’s not customary for them to think one thing and say another - I like this trait of her character.”, - notes the chansonnier.

Seda, eldest daughter maestro Aznavour from his first marriage to Micheline Rugel. She was born in May 1947. The no less talented daughter of a talented father, Seda, studied at an Armenian college in Paris, in music schools Jean-Lucier And Mati Alter. Following in her father's footsteps, she became a singer and starred in several French films.

She has performed with the maestro on the same stage more than once. She now lives in California and no longer performs. “Before her marriage she was a singer, but now she no longer sings. She has two children who are over 30. But the distance has not affected our relationship in any way; we are still close. Seda comes to see us in France three times a year.”, Aznavour talks about his daughter.

According to some sources, the chansonnier had another son from his first marriage, Charles Aznavour Jr. But family members, like himself, are silent about this. In his interviews, the singer has repeatedly stated that he has a daughter, Seda, from his first marriage. Aznavour never spoke about his son.

Charles had no children from his second marriage. As he himself said, his wife did not want children and this was the main reason for their separation. In 1956, Aznavour had a son, Patrick, who was destined to die young.

Here's what the chansonnier himself says about this story: “I once had a short affair with a woman. We parted peacefully, and when a few months later she announced that she was pregnant and wanted to keep the child, I was sincerely happy. I promised that I would definitely help. Soon a boy was born, he was named Patrick. I offered to give him my last name and officially recognize him as my son. But she gave an ultimatum - either we get married, or she marries her admirer, and I remain on the sidelines. I chose the second one. Almost ten years have passed, during which time I have repeatedly tried to find her, I wanted to meet with my son, but the search was fruitless. They said that her family had gone somewhere to the provinces, and then the traces were lost. But one fine day this woman herself found me. It turned out that her marriage was collapsing, her husband was drinking, offending Patrick and drunkenly throwing in the boy’s face: “You’re not my son at all!” She was waiting for advice from me, not expecting that I would ask her to give me her son to raise. At that time I already had new family, the children warmly welcomed the boy. Patrick turned out to be a sweet child, a little thoughtful, a little sad, but affectionate and kind. He studied well, and when he became an adult, he moved away from me, deciding to start independent life. I bought him a small studio... where he was found dead one day. Patrick had just turned twenty-five. There was no autopsy. Evidence was lying nearby - beer and a bunch of pills. He is buried in our family crypt, near my parents, in Montfort-l'Amaury. I still keep the letters that he wrote to me from school in his diligent, beautiful handwriting. I often remember him, I remember and cry...”

Katya Aznavour is the first joint child Aznavour with his third wife. Kate - creative person. Long years she performed on the same stage in her father’s team. “I really avoided it, I thought they would say that this was all family stuff... it took two years for me to agree to have Katya perform with me”, - admits the chansonnier.

In addition to her career as a singer, Katya also tried herself as an actress. In 1972 she played in the French film "Stranger".

Later, Katya Aznavour married Jean Rashid, a Muslim from Algeria. A few years later, the news that Katya had converted to Islam did not leave the pages of the world press. “Such an act should be regarded as a manifestation high degree tolerance and respect for other religions, and what’s wrong with that?”, Charles thought.

Katya and Rashid had a daughter. Aznavour himself is not worried about the fact that his granddaughter is half Algerian. “I can take her wherever I want. I am not poor and I can arrange her life. But I don’t want my granddaughter to one day listen to reproaches that she is the daughter of an Algerian. The problem that exists in France is a problem created by a small number of people. I know many people from North Africa. They don’t speak out against their own people because they support the diaspora, but I know that they don’t agree with a lot of what’s going on now.”, says the maestro.

Misha Aznavour is the son of Charles and Ulla, who had the honor of bearing the name of his grandfather, Aznavour’s father. Misha famous actor, musician and writer. He received his education in Switzerland and acted in several French films. Since 2006, he moved to Russia.

Misha came to Russia by accident, he came after his love named Nastya. Love soon melted away, but Russia so conquered young artist that he decided to stay. Although Misha subsequently returned to Paris, he often visits Moscow.

Nicolas Aznavour is the youngest of Aznavour's children. He was born in 1977. Contrary to creative family, Nicolas became a scientist. He conducts research in the field of neuroscience. Nicolas found a job in a laboratory in Lyon and moved there. “We rarely see him either, but he, like Seda, comes to visit us,” says Aznavour.

Now Charles Aznavour lives with his wife in Switzerland, in a house on the lake. He managed to build strong family, raise good children. Despite creative achievements, Aznavour is sure that this is where true happiness lies. Perhaps the key to family happiness lies in the fact that he never mixed work with his personal life, leaving it on the other side of the screen.

The famous French chansonnier, composer, actor Charles Aznavour died on October 1. He was 94 years old. The chanson legend left a legacy of dozens of world-famous compositions and films.

Charles Aznavour is a legend of French chanson, he is the author of 1,300 songs, and has sold 200 million copies of discs worldwide. According to the results of a survey of Time magazine readers and CNN viewers, which took place in 1998, the singer took first place in the ranking of the best pop artists of the 20th century.

Charles Aznavour: The unexpected death of a singer

Charles Aznavour was supposed to perform in Russia in April of this year. The great French chansonnier arrived in St. Petersburg and was ready to go on stage, but literally an hour before the start of the concert he was hospitalized. The concert, of course, did not take place.

The organizers, however, postponed it, but to April 2019: the singer’s schedule was too busy. This concert was later cancelled. The causes of the illness were not stated at that time.

In May, Aznavour suffered a double fracture of the humerus and canceled several more concerts: in Germany, Great Britain and Spain. It was assumed that the world tour of the 94-year-old performer would resume in the fall, but on October 1 it became known that Charles Aznavour had died.

Charles Aznavour: Biography

Charles Aznavour - popular singer, legend of French chanson, composer, actor. He is the author of 1,300 songs and has sold 200 million copies of discs worldwide. According to the results of a survey of Time magazine readers and CNN viewers, which took place in 1998, the singer took first place in the rating of the best pop artists of the 20th century.

Shahnur Vahinak Aznavuryan is the real name of the world-famous French chansonnier of Armenian origin, Charles Aznavour. He was born in Paris in May 1924 into a Georgian-Armenian family that emigrated from Georgia. His father is from the town of Akhaltsikhe, not far from Tbilisi. Mom was born into an Armenian family living in Turkey.

In the 1920s married couple Aznavourian left Russia. The final destination was America. But in Paris, the couple was delayed while waiting for a visa. The couple liked France so much that they decided to stay here. Soon their son Shahnur Vakhinak was born. He became the second child; the couple’s daughter Aida was already growing up.

The future singer, composer and actor grew up in a creative atmosphere. Both parents were artists. My mother played on the stage of several Parisian theaters, my father sang in operettas. Already at the age of 5, Charles Aznavour made his debut on stage. He played the violin. After 3-4 years, the boy performed Russian dances on stage and sang in the chapel of one of the churches.

The family lived modestly. Art rather brought satisfaction to the soul, but not food for the body. Therefore, the Aznavuryan family ran a small Armenian restaurant, where everyone worked - both adults and children. Often father and son sang in front of visitors to the establishment. But the crisis that came in the late 1930s forced the restaurant to close.

Charles Aznavour realized early on that his future would certainly be connected with art, so he studied in the nursery theater school. To help his parents make ends meet, the boy performed in crowd scenes and played small roles, first in the theater and then in cinema. On the stage, the “little Armenian,” as his friends called him, played young Henry IV. And Aznavour appeared on screens in episodes of several films when he was 12 years old.

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He could have been born in Georgia - his father lived there. Or in Turkey, in Istanbul, where the parents met and got married. His homeland could well be the Greek Thessaloniki, where the family found their first refuge, fleeing the Turkish genocide, and where his sister Aida was born. In the end, our hero could have been born in the USA - emigrants from all countries of the world have always strived for this “promised land”. Misha and Knar Aznavuryan - singer and dramatic actress - were no exception; they were going to America, but while waiting for an American visa, they settled in Paris. And so they remained in this city. Here in May 1924 their son, Charles Aznavour, was born. Although he will become Aznavour much later.

Armenian-French singer

Paris

The parents decided to give their son Armenian name: Shahnur Vahinag, but the Parisian official who filled out the metric could not even pronounce these combinations of letters, unusual for the French ear. In order not to complicate the boy’s life, they began to call him Charles.

At the age of five he had already earned his first fee. That year they bought a violin for Charles. But it soon became clear that he would never become a famous violinist. However, the boy spent hours on the street and, putting the case on the ground, diligently moved his bow along the strings. Surprisingly, passers-by paid generously for such a concert - coins poured into the case. Having learned about this, the angry father caught the “musician” at the crime scene. He grabbed him and the violin under his arm,

and delivered it home. Charles asked for forgiveness, but he could not hide his joy: an impressive handful of coins was weighing down his pocket. Aznavuryan Sr. at that period of his life worked in the Caucasus restaurant with his father. But he had to leave there - the relationship with his stepmother did not work out.

Soon he opened his own establishment in the Latin Quarter, under the same name “Caucasus”. Misha Aznavuryan had a pleasant baritone voice and sang “Dark Eyes” or “Curly Chub.” Besides, big fan hungarian music, he hired an orchestra of 12 Hungarian gypsies. In general, it can be argued that Charles and Aida were brought up in a creative environment, surrounded by artists who willingly visited the restaurant. Things were going well, clients flocked to the Caucasus. These were primarily Russians, yearning for their national dishes, Armenians who adored Mishino’s singing, as well as poor students, who became more and more every day, as a rumor spread throughout the Latin Quarter: “The owner of the restaurant on Huchet Street feeds you, even if you don’t have a penny.” The hall was crowded, but the box office was, as a rule, empty. The Aznavourians suffered losses. Then the global economic crisis hit and the restaurant had to be closed.

Charles Aznavour during the filming of The Truth About Charlie (2002). Photo: East News

Aznavuryan Sr. got a job as a manager of a small cafe. Across the street from him was a school organized by the actor Comédie Française for children involved in theatrical productions. “My father was a singer, and my sister and I were accepted there,” recalled Charles. - If rehearsals were scheduled in the morning, then lessons began in the evening. And if we had to play plays in the evening, we went to school in the morning.” Charles was 9 years old when he was accepted into the Theater

Little People." He participated in studio productions on the Champs Elysees and at the Madeleine Theater. This is how the career of Charles Aznavour began - singer, composer, actor. “A career is being made,” he will say in an interview. As if it was so easy for him to achieve success, as if the Parisian audience did not boo him for several years when he tried to sing his songs, and then went backstage in deathly silence, to the sound of his own heels. He shortened not only his last name, but also his nose. Edith Piaf advised to contact plastic surgeon. But this also did not produce results. But Aznavour did not give up, year after year he proved to himself and those around him that he was capable of something. Three concerts at the Pakra music hall changed everything, where the audience listened to Charles in silence, not a single chair creaked, and when he finished, there was thunderous applause. It was a victory, which was followed by a contract to perform at the Moulin Rouge and Olympia, tours abroad, a suit ordered from Tad Lapidus, and an American car so that the enemies would burst with envy, and on Navarren Street, where the family then lived , everyone was amazed. Paris became not only the city in which Aznavour was born and raised, Paris made him famous.

Charles Aznavour. Photo: East News

Provence

Charles Aznavour does not like to advertise his personal life. Explains: “Not because I’m hiding or hiding something. There’s just not much to hide.” He was married three times, finding family happiness only in his third marriage with the Swede Ursula Trysel - Ulla, as she is called in the family. They have three children, Katya, a singer, who performs with her father as a backing vocalist. Misha is a writer, actor and musician. Younger son Nicolas is a biologist. There is a grandson and granddaughter. For his large family, the maestro purchased a house in the town of Mourieux, in Provence. Every year, he comes here for the summer. He is accompanied by his sister, Misha and Nikolai with

wife. At some point, the whole family gathers in the house. Except Ulla. Like a true Swede, she doesn't like warm countries. Prefers to relax in his homeland. “We have been living together for 50 years, but everyone has their own little life. It's not that much fun living with someone who texts all the time when I work all day. But in general good family— the main thing in life,” says Aznavour.

The house is not God knows what kind of mansion, but there is enough space for everyone. Including three dogs - Chihuahuas and two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. There is a large garden planted with olive trees. In the study of the great chansonnier, much reminds of his roots - ancient Armenian musical instrument, inherited from the father, family photos, even the brandy on the bar is Armenian.

Charles Aznavour. Photo: East News

Yerevan

He likes to repeat: “France is my country. Armenia is my faith.” However, Aznavour discovered his historical homeland quite late. He first came to Armenia only in 1963. Then I met my grandmother, my father’s mother, who lived in a small Yerevan apartment. According to the singer, the devastating earthquake of 1988 that occurred in Spitak turned his life upside down. “I realized that our people, our roots need it. The Armenian diaspora living outside their homeland has done and continues to do a lot for Armenia.” Charles Aznavour organized a relief fund, and then the “Aznavour and Armenia” association, of which he is still president. A year after the disaster, the singer came to Armenia to

support victims of natural disaster. Millions of copies of the disc with his song “For You, Armenia” were instantly sold out. All proceeds went to the relief fund. In 2008, Charles Aznavour accepted Armenian citizenship. As a sign of gratitude and love for his great compatriot, the artist’s House-Museum was opened in Yerevan in 2010. The five-story building is located on the highest tier of the Yerevan Cascade, offering a magnificent view of the entire city and Mount Ararat. About 1.3 million euros from the state budget of Armenia were spent on construction. However, the singer chose and paid for the furnishings of the house himself. It took some time to resolve the issue of transporting the chansonnier’s personal belongings here, which are of museum value. In addition to the exhibition, dedicated to creativity and the life of Aznavour, the house includes a concert hall under open air, designed for 120-150 spectators, as well as the residence of Charles Aznavour. Here he can receive his guests and relax. His CDs, books, albums, awards, including orders received by the singer in different years at various prestigious music festivals. There are photographs and posters hung almost everywhere.

Charles Aznavour takes part in the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 (2015). Photo: East News

Moscow

“I feel, of course, an Armenian, because I grew up in an Armenian family, but in the same way, I feel like a Russian, because as a child I lived in the Russian-speaking world and am always ready to say to fate “Thank you bolshoe!” for this, says Charles Aznavour. He has performed in Russia many times and always attended his concerts -

full house. It is unlikely that in any other country in the world maestro Aznavour has such loyal fans as in ours. An example of this is the story that happened in April of this year. It started in the Moscow metro, when a journalist accidentally drew attention to an ordinary Moscow grandmother. She stood at the newsstand and did not take her eyes off the poster for the Charles Aznavour concert. We started talking. Grandma Lida admitted that she is a longtime fan of the singer, and even sang several verses while the journalist was filming her mobile phone. The recording hit the Internet. Touching story Aznavour was told about grandmother Lida and he invited her to his concert. After the concert, I met her backstage and gave her a huge bouquet of roses.

Charles Aznavour at a press conference in Moscow (2014). Photo: East News

Lausanne

Charles Aznavour has been a Swiss citizen for many years; since 1976 he has lived in Lausanne. He says that he would never have left France if he had not been “pushed out.” The singer was accused of fraud. “All the newspapers wrote about it. Nobody wanted anything to do with me. Then, when the charges were dropped, not a single newspaper, not a single journalist apologized to me.” But, as they say, every cloud has a silver lining. Switzerland has low taxes, unlike France. “Stop singing for the IRS,” Aznavour said after being forced to pay back more than 70 percent of his earnings. Now he has a beautiful villa located above a lake near Lausanne. He returns there after world tours. His wife Ulla is waiting for him there.

Charles Aznavour and the Ambassador of Armenia arrived to light the flame at the tomb of the unknown soldier under Arc de Triomphe On April 24, 2010, during a ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of the Ottoman era massacres of Armenians. Photo: East News

Name: Charles Aznavour

Age: 94 years old

Place of Birth: Paris

Activity: chansonnier, composer, poet, writer and actor

Family status: married

Charles Aznavour - biography

The son of Armenian emigrants, he became a great French chansonnier, forcing the whole world to applaud him. At the same time, most of the enthusiastic fans from different countries do not understand a word in his songs.

Parents future star Chanson were Armenians living in Georgia. After the revolution they decided to emigrate to America. The path of the Aznavourians lay through France, and, once in Paris, they suddenly realized that they did not want to leave anywhere. This romantic city came to their hearts. In addition, while the visa was being processed, in 1924 the couple’s first child, Charles, was born.

The boy's father opened a small restaurant in the capital of France, which served Russian and Caucasian cuisine. He hoped that Russian emigrants would come to him. And they really did come, but the owner often had to feed the visitors on credit. The family barely made ends meet, but no one was discouraged. And the kind-hearted father of the family, a former professional singer, delighted the audience in the evenings with his velvety baritone.

Music

Charles nevertheless ended up in theater school: his father gave him some money, the rest he earned himself by selling newspapers and performing for a pittance at film shows. The young man undoubtedly had dramatic talent. But as he grew older, it turned out that he was ugly, and besides, vertically challenged- and in the theater and cinema, stately handsome men were required. And Charles decided to sing. True, the audience he spoke to rarely gave him applause.

At the age of 19, Charles (now he was Aznavour - in the French manner) by hook or by crook managed to achieve a performance in the famous Parisian Olympia concert hall, as part of a national concert. He so hoped that the audience would notice, understand, appreciate him... But Aznavour was booed. "He has a disgusting voice,

I heard Charles behind me,

And he didn’t come out with his face. How can he even go on stage!” That evening Aznavour was close to giving up singing. However, natural stubbornness took over. “I’ll prove it to you! You will still see!”

He ardently convinced his imaginary critics.

And he proved it. Ten years later, Charles Aznavour performed solo at that same Olympia, the audience applauded him, the organizers rubbed their hands: concerts were held three times a day.

Charles Aznavouri and Edith Piaf

Once Edith Piaf wandered into her and Pierre’s performance in a variety show - and from that moment Aznavour’s life changed dramatically. When he came down from the stage, the singer beckoned him with her finger. Timid and transfixed with delight, he approached. "You are a Jew?" - the prima donna asked straight away. “I am an Armenian,” he answered proudly. “What is this? - the star was surprised.

Edith Piaf was going to America on a grand tour and invited Pierre and Charles with her. Something unimaginable happened on tour: the artist was capricious, changed the schedule, last minute canceled concerts, and drove off with another gentleman... Musician friends had a hard time. But the main thing is that they sang, and the audience shouted “bravo” to them.

Charles Aznavour - biography of personal life

Aznavour returned to Paris alone. Pierre met love and stayed in Canada, Edith traveled around the world, changing lovers, and Charles’s wife got tired of his constant absences, and she left, taking her daughter. Aznavour had only music left.

And then, quite unexpectedly, the spoiled Parisian public fell in love with him. He sang the same songs as before, his voice did not change, he did not become more beautiful. But before they booed him, but now they applauded him! Either the authority of Edith Piaf influenced him, or his time had simply come.

She and Edith were never lovers, but it was impossible to convince the public of this, and they gave up on the rumors. For Piaf, Charles was a friend, a driver, a secretary, a nanny, and a vest in which to cry. He came running at the first call, fulfilled all her whims. At her insistence he did plastic surgery, reducing his prominent nose.

While Aznavour remained close to Piaf, no serious relationship with women were impossible: she took up all his time. And Charles... married again - almost to spite the singer. He wanted to end their abnormal friendship and find a family. The idea was not crowned with success. Evelyn turned out to be jealous, and Charles increasingly left the house in the evenings. Where? Of course, to Edith Piaf, because she always had fun!

The friend turned out to be right. The closer Charles got to know the Swedish beauty named Ulla, the more he was amazed at how close she was to his ideal woman. Soft, calm, smiling... The couple bought a house in Switzerland, on the shores of the picturesque Lake Geneva, Ulla gave birth to Charles three children. They have been together for half a century and still adore each other.

I’m afraid to even imagine how, having shouted out the last note, I collapse on the stage and lie in an absurd position, with a distorted face,” Aznavour laughs. “I prefer, if God wills it, to quietly fade away at home, surrounded by children, their children, their children’s children and, why not, also the children of their children’s children...” All that remains is to wish the artist that this happens as soon as possible Later.

Death of Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour is a popular singer, legend of French chanson, composer, and actor. He is the author of 1,300 songs and has sold 200 million copies of discs worldwide. According to the results of a survey of Time magazine readers and CNN viewers, which took place in 1998, the singer took first place in the rating of the best pop artists of the 20th century.

Shahnur Vahinak Aznavuryan is the real name of the world-famous French chansonnier of Armenian origin, Charles Aznavour. He was born in Paris in May 1924 into a Georgian-Armenian family that emigrated from Georgia. His father is from the town of Akhaltsikhe, not far from Tbilisi. Mom was born into an Armenian family living in Turkey.

In the 1920s, the Aznavourian couple left Russia. The final destination was America. But in Paris, the couple was delayed while waiting for a visa. The couple liked France so much that they decided to stay here. Soon their son Shahnur Vakhinak was born. He became the second child; the couple’s daughter Aida was already growing up.

The future singer, composer and actor grew up in a creative atmosphere. Both parents were artists. My mother played on the stage of several Parisian theaters, my father sang in operettas. Already at the age of 5, Charles Aznavour made his debut on stage. He played the violin. After 3-4 years, the boy performed Russian dances on stage and sang in the chapel of one of the churches.

The family lived modestly. Art rather brought satisfaction to the soul, but not food for the body. Therefore, the Aznavuryan family ran a small Armenian restaurant, where everyone worked - both adults and children. Often father and son sang in front of visitors to the establishment. But the crisis that came in the late 1930s forced the restaurant to close.

Charles Aznavour realized early on that his future would certainly be connected with art, so he studied at a children's theater school. To help his parents make ends meet, the boy performed in crowd scenes and played small roles, first in the theater and then in cinema. On the stage, the “little Armenian,” as his friends called him, played the young man. And Aznavour appeared on screens in episodes of several films when he was 12 years old.

Music

Reference point creative biography Charles Aznavour can be considered the 1940s. During this period, he met his colleague Pierre Roche. Like Charles, Pierre was a young composer and musician - he played the piano. The duet was called "Roche and Aznavour". Together they performed in clubs in France and neighboring Belgium. Roche sang more often, but not everyone liked Aznavour’s voice. Sometimes Charles was booed. Therefore, he wrote more music and poetry for the songs that his partner performed.

In 1946, the famous duo drew the attention of a duo of talented but still little-known performers. The star invited the duo to go on tour with her in the USA. After this tour, Charles Aznavour, like his partner, became recognizable.

In the early 1950s, he was better known not as a chansonnier, but as a songwriter and composer. Aznavour writes compositions for many famous performers, such as Patasha, Mistinquet and Greco. He wrote the hit “Jezebel” for Edith Piaf. This is a remake of the American song of the same name. Soon, performed by Piaf, it turns into a real hit.

In the mid-1950s, the “little Armenian” and a real Parisian, having selected a suitable repertoire, went on a tour of North America. So it began brilliant biography Charles Aznavour as a chansonnier. After returning, he signed a contract with the most famous French concert halls Olympia and Alhambra. Critics greeted the singer coolly, but ordinary French people were captivated by this, although not ideal, extremely attractive voice. Charles's songs become hits. After 3 years, every performance of the famous chansonnier turns into an event. His concerts are always sold out.

In 1960, the legendary American Carnegie Hall opened its doors to the singer and composer. The performance of the French chanson star was a huge triumph. Now critics have recognized his talent. The artist’s repertoire includes hits “Emmenez-moi”, “Trop tard”, “Les comediens”, “J"me voyais deja”. The singer takes on the orchestration of the songs. The maestro arranges popular melodies for the orchestra, which further popularizes Aznavour’s work.

After a long tour of America, Europe and Asia, Charles Aznavour becomes a global star. His discs are sold in millions of copies. His hits “My Life”, “This Youth”, “Because”, “After Love” are sung on all continents. Charles Aznavour's song " Eternal love", which he later performed with .

In 1971, the film “Dying of Love” was released, for which the composer wrote and performed a song of the same name. It instantly turned into a national hit. And the film itself, winner of the Golden Lion, becomes mega-popular largely thanks to the song.

In 1977, Charles Aznavour gives his fans a new hit called “Camarade” (“Comrade”). Song long time remains at the top of the charts. She, and many other old and new hits by the chansonnier, were included in Aznavour’s album “I Don’t Know the Past,” which was released a year later.

In the new century, Aznavour participated in the recording of the joint album “Color Ma Vie” with Cuban Chucho Valdez, which was released in 2007. In 2008, Charles Aznavour performed the 1964 hit “Hier encore” in a duet with. In 2013, the song “You and I” was recorded from the 1995 album of the same name with Russian performer. The Frenchman happily visited Russia, periodically delighting his fans solo concerts, which always sold out.

In 2014, a video was released for Aznavour’s song “La Bohème,” which was written back in the 70s.

Movies

A cinematic biography of Charles Aznavour is a separate chapter of his life. He inherited his acting abilities from his mother. The artist played his first notable roles in the films “Womanizer” and “Head Against the Walls.” And in 1960, when the film “Shoot the Pianist” was released, the chansonnier was invited to sing at Carnegie Hall.

In 1963, the actor starred in leading role in the melodrama “Paris in August”. And six months later, viewers saw the wonderful musical comedy “Mr. Carnival,” in which a new hit from the chansonnier “La Bohème” was heard.

For its long creative life the artist starred in 60 films. He collaborated with such famous directors as Claude Lelouch, Claude Chabrol, and Rene Clair. Best films with the participation of the actor, in addition to the above: “The Testament of Orpheus”, “The Tin Drum”, “Crossing the Rhine”, “Taxi to Tobruk”, “The Devil and the Ten Commandments”, “The Time of Wolves”, “Long Live Life” and the detective series “ Chinese".

In the famous Soviet political detective story “Tehran-43”, which was released in 1981, the song “Life in Love” by Charles Aznavour and Georges Garvarents is also heard.

The last work in the filmography of the talented Frenchman of Armenian origin was the film “Père Goriot.” Aznavour starred in the title role.

Personal life

The legendary chansonnier was officially married three times. He got married for the first time at the age of 21. His wife Micheline Rugel was 17 years old. Later, the artist would call this marriage, as well as the second, mistakes of youth. In union with Micheline, the chansonnier had a daughter, Seda. But after 5 years the couple divorced. The father has maintained a wonderful relationship with his daughter.

Misterious story with the birth of his son Charles. He was also born married to Micheline. But for some reason the chansonnier himself is silent about Charles Aznavour Jr. All members of his family do the same.

The second marriage to Evelina Plessis turned out to be even shorter than the first. There were no children, which was the reason for the divorce.

Between his second and third marriages, Aznavour had a short affair. Soon after the breakup, the woman admitted that she was expecting a child. After the birth of her son Patrick, she got married. A few years later, the marriage fell apart, and Charles, by agreement with his mother, took Patrick into his family. At that time, Aznavour was already married to his third wife, Swede Ulla Topsel. They got married in 1967. In this marriage three children were born - daughter Katya and sons Misha and Nicolas.

Patrick grew up with his half-sister and brothers. When the young man became independent, his father bought him an apartment. A 25-year-old guy was found dead inside. Beer and scattered pills were found near the body. It is unknown whether it was suicide or a drug overdose.

The personal life of Charles Aznavour with his third wife Ulla turned out to be truly happy. The couple lived together for more than half a century. Now the singer’s widow lives in a small house on the shore of a lake in Switzerland. The fate of Aznavour's children developed differently. Seda, a former singer, lives in California. Nicolas, a neurologist, remained in France. Misha, a writer and musician, lived in Russia for a time, but later returned to Paris. The youngest daughter Katya followed in her father’s footsteps: she, like her older brother and sister, became interested in music. Katya later married a native of Algeria.

In an interview, Charles Aznavour stated that he does not consider Armenia a country in which he could live. But the artist never forgot about his homeland. The singer became the author of songs dedicated to Armenia - “They Fell,” “Autobiography,” “Jan” and “Tender Armenia.” In 1988, after the earthquake in Spitak, Aznavour took the initiative to create the Aznavour for Armenia charity organization. The foundation collected material assistance for the victims.

A year later, the artist creates a video for musical composition“For you, Armenia”, in the filming of which 90 singers and actors participated. The single sold 1 million copies. In 2001, the singer supported the decision French parliament recognize genocide Armenian people, and a year later Atom Egoyan’s film “Ararat” was released, which touched on this burning topic. Charles Aznavour played the main character Edward Saroyan in the film.

At UNESCO, Charles becomes the honorary ambassador of the republic, and in Yerevan a square is named after him. In 2008, Charles Aznavour was awarded Armenian citizenship.

During the change of power in April 2018 in Yerevan, Charles Aznavour supported the people. The address to the nation appeared on the official website charitable foundation artist. In it, the maestro called for abstinence from violence and the preservation of democratic values.

Last years and death

In 2017, Charles Aznavour received the Raoul Wallenberg Medal for helping Jews during World War II. The badge of honor was awarded French chansonnier at the presidential residence in Jerusalem from the hands of Reuven Rivlin. In the same year, the artist’s personal star was unveiled on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Charles Aznavour continued last years concert activities, but not as active as before. In April 2018, a chansonnier concert was supposed to take place in St. Petersburg, but the performance was canceled due to feeling unwell artist. Aznavour was taken from the rehearsal by ambulance to one of the clinics in St. Petersburg. The artist promised to return to the Russian Federation in a year.

October 1, 2018 Charles Aznavour is 95 years old. Great musician died at his home in the south of France. According to doctors, Aznavour was in the bath when he developed pulmonary edema. This led to cardiorespiratory failure. Accidental drowning has been ruled out as a cause of death.

Discography

• 1953 – Jezebel
• 1962 – Il faut savoir
• 1963 – La mamma
• 1965 – Hier encore
• 1974 – Visages de l'amour
• 1990 – The old fashioned way
• 1990 – She
• 1994 – Toi et moi
• 1995 – You and me
• 1997 – Plus blue
• 2003 – Je voyage
• 2005 – Insolitement vôtre

Filmography

• 1958 - “Head against the wall”
• 1960 - “Shoot the Pianist”
• 1960 - “Crossing the Rhine”
• 1960 - “Taxi to Tobruk”
• 1976 - “Sky Riders”
• 1982 - “Magic Mountain”
• 1983 - “Edith and Marcel”
• 1989-92 - “Chinese”
• 2002 - “Ararat”
• 2004 - “Père Goriot”