Shania Twain is an iconic superstar recognized all over the globe. Yet, her journey to fame wasn’t as glamorous as many might think. It’s always intriguing to delve into the childhood of your favorite celebrities.

While she now reigns at the top of the music charts and tours internationally, her early life was quite different. She faced numerous challenges growing up.

Continue reading to uncover more about the singer’s surprising childhood.

Shania was born into a family struggling with poverty in Timmins, Ontario, which made her early years quite difficult. With her stepfather working a low-wage job in reforestation and her mother battling depression, life was tough. As one of five siblings, she quickly learned to make do with very little.

She started singing in local bars, but soon found herself with greater responsibilities than just occasional performances. She became the primary caregiver for her siblings.

With her family constantly facing financial hardships, she often went without basic necessities like food, heat, and electricity.

She became acutely aware of her situation when she would sit without lunch, watching her classmates eat and hoping for leftovers to share.

Often, she would tell her teacher that she had forgotten her lunch at home or in her locker. Music became her refuge, a way to escape the difficult realities surrounding her.

She would retreat to the woods with her guitar, light a small fire, and immerse herself in her music. The melodies she played provided a temporary escape from the burdens of her responsibilities and the weight of poverty.

First taste of performing

Her mother recognized her talent early on and started taking her to local bar gigs when she was only 8 years old. Since she was too young to be in a place where alcohol was served, she would perform after midnight when the patrons were already enjoying their drinks.

At the age of 11, she obtained a permit that allowed her to perform earlier in the evening, but she didn’t start getting paid until she turned 14. During this time, she also took a job at McDonald’s, which she later described as her “saving grace.” It provided her with a paycheck and regular meals, something she had been missing.

After school, she would work at McDonald’s and then head to the bars to sing, leaving her with a packed schedule that often left her feeling drained. Despite the exhaustion, her passion for music kept her motivated as she dreamed of a brighter future.

However, her family faced challenges beyond financial struggles. Her stepfather, who had legally adopted her and her siblings, was abusive, creating a frightening and toxic home life for the children.

She remembers having to protect herself from his violence, including a moment when she threw a chair at him in self-defense. Reflecting on that incident, she later remarked, “I think a lot of that was anger, not courage.”

The mistreatment lasted for a significant period and was just one aspect of her overall trauma. At the age of ten, her stepfather began to sexually abuse her. She kept this horrific experience hidden, which burdened her for many years until she finally found the courage to share her story publicly.

Some of her unresolved trauma lingered, especially after the tragic loss of her mother and stepfather in a car accident when she was 22. This left Shania Twain with the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, as she was the second oldest and had to look after the little ones.

A new opportunity
Determined to keep the family together, she accepted a singing position at a local resort, which provided her with a modest home. During this time, her life was filled with stress. She would wake up to chop wood for heating, get her siblings ready for school, and then perform late into the night.

As a teenager, she had to uphold a polished, feminine image as a singer. She had never prioritized her own needs before, but her job now required her to take better care of herself.

The breakthrough
As her siblings matured and gained independence, she could shift her focus back to her own aspirations. She recorded a demo and sent it out to various record labels. Her dedication paid off when Mercury Nashville signed her, marking the start of her music career.

With her career taking off, she crossed paths with a well-known music producer. Their professional collaboration soon blossomed into romance, leading to marriage. Together, they crafted Twain’s unique musical style, co-writing and producing her work.

Her fame skyrocketed, allowing her to reach vast audiences with her music.

However, as her success soared, she began to experience issues with her voice. It took nearly a decade before she received a diagnosis of Lyme disease, which had impacted her vocal cords.

She needed to step away from singing to have surgery, which resulted in her voice becoming a bit raspier. Instead of seeing this as a setback, she embraced the change and channeled her energy into her music. Her collaboration with her husband, music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, continued to thrive. Together, they have a son named Eja D’Angelo Lange. While their musical partnership was strong, their personal life took a turn when Twain discovered her husband’s infidelity.

He was involved with Marie-Anne Thiébaud, a close friend and former secretary of theirs. In a twist of fate, Shania found an unexpected supporter in Thiébaud’s husband, who was equally shocked by the betrayal. Their shared heartbreak brought Twain and Frédéric Thiébaud together, and what began as a friendship blossomed into romance. They tied the knot in 2011, embarking on a fresh journey together.

Twain has since expressed that she holds no grudges against her ex-husband for his actions. She appreciates the role he played in her music career and cherishes their son. The singer has experienced incredible highs and devastating lows throughout her life. We wish her all the best for the future! Feel free to share this with fellow Shania Twain fans who may not be aware of her story.