Despite many problems throughout her career, Piaf eventually became the most highly paid star in the world.

Is portrayed by Marion Cotillard in Môme, La (2007), a biopic about her life.

Her mother was half Italian by her father and half Kabyle (Algerian) on her mother's side.

Daughter of Louis-Alphonse Gassion and wife Annetta Giovanna Maillard.

Helped to launch many careers including that of Yves Montand, Eddie Constantine and her husband Théo Sarapo.

Her stage name, 'piaf', is a slang word for 'small bird', which fitted her physical appearance.

She is mentioned in the song "Lady Nina" by rock band Marillion.

Her song "La vie en rose" was voted a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1998.

Was romantically involved with boxer Marcel Cerdan when he died tragically in a plane crash (1949).

Her grave is situated in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France.

Among her most popular songs are "Mon légionnaire" (1936), "La vie en rose" (1945), "Hymne à l'amour" (1949), "Sous le ciel de Paris" (1954), "Milord" (1959) and, the probably best known, "Je ne regrette rien" (1960).

Had a child named Marcelle who died at the age of two, in 1935, from meningitis.

She actually died at Plascassier, Grasse parish, in the department of Alpes-Maritimes and not Paris, but her death wasn't made public until the body was returned to her birth city.

After living with her maternal grandmother for a short time, she was raised by her paternal grandmother, who ran a brothel in Normandy.

She was very good friends with Marlene Dietrich, who was the maid of honor at her wedding to Jacques Pills.

Her father Louis-Alphonse Gassion was an acrobat, her mother Annetta Giovanna Maillard was a street singer.