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Charles Aznavour was a renowned French-Armenian singer, songwriter, actor, and diplomat. Known as the ”Frank Sinatra of France,” he was one of the most popular and enduring singers in the world. Aznavour’s career spanned over eight decades, during which he wrote more than 1,200 songs and sold over 100 million records in 80 countries.
### Biography
– **Full Name:** Shahnour Vaghinag Aznavourian
– **Birth:** May 22, 1924, in Paris, France
– **Death:** October 1, 2018, in Mouriès, France
– **Nationality:** French-Armenian
### Career Highlights
– **Singing and Songwriting:** Aznavour’s repertoire includes numerous classics such as ”La Bohème,” ”She,” ”Yesterday When I Was Young,” ”Comme ils disent,” and ”La Mamma.” His songs often dealt with themes of love, loss, and human experience, and were known for their poetic lyrics and emotional depth.
– **Acting:** He appeared in more than 60 films, including notable roles in ”Shoot the Piano Player” (1960) directed by François Truffaut and ”The Tin Drum” (1979) directed by Volker Schlöndorff.
– **International Success:** Aznavour performed in multiple languages, including French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, and Armenian, which helped him achieve international acclaim.
### Achievements and Honors
– **Awards:** He received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian distinction. He was also awarded the National Order of Merit and was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.
– **Recognition:** Aznavour was recognized as the Entertainer of the Century by CNN and Time Online in 1998, based on votes from their global audience.
### Philanthropy and Diplomacy
– **Armenian Heritage:** Aznavour was deeply proud of his Armenian heritage and was actively involved in humanitarian efforts, especially following the 1988 Armenian earthquake. He founded the Aznavour Foundation to support educational, cultural, and social projects in Armenia.
– **Diplomacy:** He served as Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland and Armenia’s Permanent Delegate to the United Nations in Geneva.
### Personal Life
– **Family:** Aznavour was married three times and had six children. His parents were Armenian immigrants, and his early life was marked by the influence of his cultural heritage.
– **Literary Contributions:** In addition to his music and acting, Aznavour wrote several books, including an autobiography, ”Aznavour by Charles,” and collections of essays.
### Quotes
Here are some notable quotes by Charles Aznavour:
– ”I write about love, yes, but not only about love. I write about things I know. I write about pain and despair. I write about joy and sadness.”
– ”You have to know how to accept rejection and reject acceptance.”
– ”There is a thing that the artist should always have up his sleeve: a sense of rebellion.”
– ”To reach the heart of the listener, you have to be sincere, and this sincerity is one of the reasons for my longevity.”
Charles Aznavour’s legacy as a multifaceted artist and humanitarian continues to inspire people around the world. His contributions to music, film, and philanthropy have left an indelible mark on global culture.