One of France’s most famous stars of the 20th century, Edith Piaf (born Edith Gassion) began her singing career at the age of 20, when she was discovered in the Pigalle area of Paris by a nightclub owner who persuaded her to sing on the stage. He coached her in the ways of performing and stage presence, and she recorded her first records that same year (1935). In 1936, her mentor was murdered by mobsters, and she changed her name to Edith Piaf to distance herself from the incident. Piaf was soon one of the most famous singers in France, and began touring the world with her act, performing on The Ed Sullivan Show eight times and twice at Carnegie Hall. Some of her most famous songs include La vie en rose and Non, je ne regrette rien. Edith Piaf died of liver cancer at age 47 on October 11, 1963.