born: August 28, 1965
place of birth: Windsor, Ontario
height: 5'4"
measures: 36A-24-34
Eilleen Regina Edwards was born in Windsor, Ontario in 1965. Her mother remarried two years later and Eilleen's last name became Twain. It wasn't until 1991 that Eilleen adopted the name "Shania" for career purposes.
Growing up in the rural town of Timmins, Ontario, the Twain family lived in poverty. Although it was hard to put food on the table, the family was joyful and loved music. Young Eilleen, the second oldest of five children, would always sing along with the radio or jukebox and her parents recognized her talent.
Eilleen Twain started performing country music in hotels, senior centers, and bars when she was only 8 years old. In her early teens she learned how to play the guitar and fronted several semi-popular bands in northern Ontario. While not performing or practicing, Eilleen worked at various jobs to help her family, including the local MacDonald's and with her father as a foreman for a 13-man reforestation crew.
In 1987, Eilleen Twain's parents were killed in a tragic auto accident in 1987. She assumed the responsibility of taking care of her 3 younger siblings (two brothers and a sister). To support her family, Eilleen accepted the lead singing job at Ontario's Deerhurst Resort, showcasing a variety of musical styles. The family later moved to Huntsville, settled down, bought a home and a family truck.
As her siblings matured and moved out of the house one by one, Eilleen was then able to pursue her recording career. It was at this time she adopted the name "Shania."
Shania's first manager, Mary Bailey, arranged for entertainment attorney Richard Frank to hear Shania perform at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Frank was enthralled with her talent, and arranged for a Nashville producer to help Shania record a demo. Shania was quickly signed by Mercury Records.
Her debut album, "Shania Twain", released July 6, 1993, contained only one of her own songs, "God Ain't Gonna Getcha For That". Caught in a strange "Triple Play" non-marketing experiment, it garnered some critical praise and a CMT Europe "Rising Video Star" Award for Shania, but not much else. Three singles were released which charted moderately.
About the same time, Shania met her future husband, Robert John "Mutt" Lange, a famous rock producer (AC/DC, The Cars, Def Leppard, Foreigner, Bryan Adams, and others). They didn't meet in person until months after they first talked on the phone. Shania and Mutt were married in December 1993.
Shania's next album, "The Woman in Me", was released on February 7, 1995. Shania and Mutt wrote or co-wrote every song. "The Woman in Me" album quickly became the best selling country album of all time by a female artist.
Every single off the album was a major hit - four #1's, a top 5 and a top 10 in the U.S.; six #1's, a top 5 and a top 10 in Canada. Each video was unique to its song, set new creative standards, and became wildly popular.
Shania's third album, "Come On Over", released on November 4, 1997 debuted at number one on the charts and has since completely rewritten the record books for weeks at #1, and longevity on both country and pop charts. A record 10 hit singles were released (5 to pop radio) in the U.S., including: "You're Still The One", "From This Moment On", "That Don't Impress Me Much", Man! I Feel Like A Woman!", and "You've Got A Way"...
A global #1 smash, the album is now certified for sales of 19 million in the U.S., 25x platinum in Canada, and 35 million worldwide to date. "Come On Over" is now the best-selling female solo album in history, the best-selling country album of all time, and already the 5th best selling album of all time.
Shania has received numerous awards for her talents as performer and songwriter, including 5 Grammy Awards, Country Music Association (CMA) Entertainer of the Year, Special "International Artist Achievement" Award, Academy of Country Music (ACM) Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, Best New Female Artist
Billboard Music Awards for Female Artist of the Year, Female Hot 100 Artist, Top Country Album Artist, Best Selling Genre Single, Best Country Video, and on and on and on...
Shania and her husband R.J. "Mutt" Lange welcomed their new baby boy Eja (pronounced "Asia") Lange into the world on August 12, 2001. Eja is their first child.
Shania's fourth album "Up!" is now available in stores and topping the charts!