Line Marsa
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4 August 1895
Annetta Giovanna Margherita Maillard
- Cabaret singer
- equestrian
- tightrope artist
Line Marsa | |
|---|---|
 Lina Marsa (pictured right) with daughter Édith Piaf (centre) and her husband Louis Alphonse Gassion | |
| Born | Annetta Giovanna Maillard 4 August 1895 Livorno, Italy |
| Died | 6 February 1945 (aged 49) Paris, France |
| Other names | Annetta Gassion Annetta Giovanna Margherita Maillard |
| Occupations |
|
| Known for | Mother of Édith Piaf |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, including Édith Piaf |
| Parent(s) | Auguste Eugène Maillard Emma Saïd Ben Mohamed |
Annetta Giovanna Gassion (née Maillard; 4 August 1895 – 6 February 1945), known by stage name Line Marsa, was a French cabaret singer and circus performer, as an equestrian and tightrope artist. She is best known as the mother of internationally renowned singer Édith Piaf, considered France's national chanteuse.
Born Annetta Giovanna Maillard on 4 August 1895 in Livorno, Tuscany, to French parents who were on tour as part of a travelling circus troupe. Her father, Auguste Eugène Maillard, came from the Loire region of France. Her mother, Emma, was the daughter of Saïd ben Mohamed, of Kabyle origin, born in Mogador, Morocco,[1][2][3] and Margherita (or Marguerite) Bracco, who was born in Murazzano, Piedmont.[4]
Career
Personal life
On 4 September 1914, she married Louis Alphonse Gassion, a singer and circus contortionist. The following year, on December 19, she gave birth to their first child, Édith Giovanna, who would become Édith Piaf. On 31 August 1918, she gave birth to their second child, Herbert. Édith was raised by Annetta's mother, Emma, from 1915 to 1918, when she was sent to Louis Gassion's mother instead due to Annetta and Emma's neglect.[6]
Annetta and Louis were divorced on 4 June 1929 reportedly because of her substance abuse. She never remarried.[7]