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Mistinguett

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Mistinguett was a legendary French singer and actress.

Mistinguett Moulin Rouge
Mistinguett Moulin Rouge

She was once the highest-paid female entertainer on Earth. Her career lasted for 60 amazing years. She performed in 31 movies and 389 musical works. She also appeared in 9 different shows. People loved her for her bright and grand style. She had a special way of drawing crowds to her. She called this feeling a kind of magnetism.

Mistinguett plaque
Mistinguett plaque

Her journey to the stage began with small jobs. As a young girl, she sold flowers in a restaurant. She would sing popular songs while she worked. At age 10, she worked at the Casino de Paris. Her job was raising and lowering the heavy curtains. Later, she took classes to learn singing and theater. She even worked as a stage-hand to learn the ropes. She tried many different stage names before choosing Mistinguett.

Mistinguett was born Jeanne Bourgeois in 1873.

Mistinguett Moulin Rouge
Mistinguett Moulin Rouge

Her father was a day-labourer named Antoine Bourgeois. Her mother, Jeannette Debrée, worked as a seamstress. They lived in Enghien-les-Bains in France. Her family later moved to Soisy-sous-Montmorency. She began her professional career in 1888. By 1893, she made her first major musical appearance. She soon performed at famous places like the Moulin Rouge.

She became a global star with many big moments. In 1919, her legs were insured for 500,000 Francs. She recorded her famous song "Mon Homme" in 1920. This song became a classic known as "My Man." Her 1938 show, Féerie de Paris, was very grand. She wore a 7-foot tall headpiece for that show. Her costume also had 40 pounds of feathers.

Mistinguett plaque
Mistinguett plaque

She even performed well into her 70s.

Mistinguett's life was full of high drama and courage. During a war, she acted as a spy. She did this to help free her partner, Maurice Chevalier. She worked for both sides to stay safe. This dangerous work eventually led to a death sentence. Luckily, she was freed in exchange for German families. She had one son named Leopoldo who lived in Brazil. Mistinguett died in 1956 at the age of 82. She remains a symbol of the great Parisian era.

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File:Mistinguett Moulin Rouge.jpg
Mistinguett Moulin Rouge.jpg
File:Mistinguett plaque.jpg
Mistinguett plaque.jpg
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