Édith Piaf (UK: /ˈpiːæf/, US: /piːˈɑːf/;[1]French: [edit pjaf](listen); born Édith Giovanna Gassion, French: [edit dʒɔvana ɡasjɔ̃]; 19 December 1915– 10 October 1963) was a French singer-songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress noted as France's national chanteuse and one of the country's most widely known international stars.[2]