Charles Aznavour Biography: Studio Albums, Parents, Siblings, Age, Net Worth, Height, Ethnicity, Singles, Wife, Children, Obituary

Shahnour Vaghinak Aznavourian, professionally known as Charles Aznavour, was a distinguished French singer-songwriter of Armenian heritage.

Celebrated for his unique vibrato tenor voice, Aznavour enjoyed a prolific career that spanned over eight decades. During this time, he recorded more than 1,200 songs in nine different languages.

Often referred to as “France’s Frank Sinatra,” he gained international acclaim for iconic songs such as “She” and “The Old Fashioned Way.”

In addition to his musical achievements, Aznavour was a successful actor, with notable performances in films including “Shoot the Piano Player” and “The Tin Drum.”

Profile

• Full Name: Shahnour Vaghinak Aznavourian
• Stage Name: Charles Aznavour
• Born: May 22 1924
• Died: October 1 2018
• Age: 94 years old
• Birthplace: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France
• Nationality: French
• Occupation: French singer-songwriter
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Knar Baghdasarian, Michael Aznavourian
• Siblings: Aïda Aznavourian
• Spouse: Ulla Thorsell (m. 1967–2018), Evelyne Plessis (m. 1956–1960) ·, Micheline Rugel (m. 1946–1952)
• Children: Patrick Aznavour, Seda Aznavour, Nicolas Aznavour, Katia Aznavour and Misha Aznavour
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $25 million and $145 million

Early Life And Education

Shahnour Vaghinak Aznavourian was born on May 22, 1924, in Paris, France; he is the son of Misha Aznavourian, a baritone singer and restaurateur, and Knar Baghdasarian, a seamstress and actress.

The family had fled ethnic violence in Armenia and settled in France. Aznavour had one older sibling, a sister named Aïda. Both children were involved in their parents’ restaurant business, but Aznavour dropped out of school at nine to pursue a career in the performing arts.

As a child, he began acting in plays and films and later joined a traveling theatrical troupe, where he performed as a singer and dancer. Aznavour was of Armenian descent, though his religious beliefs were not publicly known.

Career

Charles Aznavour began his artistic journey in childhood, acting in plays and films before touring France and Belgium as a singer and dancer. His early collaboration with songwriter Pierre Roche in the 1940s earned him recognition within cabaret circles.

Aznavour’s breakthrough came in 1956 with the song Sur Ma Vie, marking his solo debut at Paris’s Olympia Music Hall. Although initially criticized for his unconventional voice and appearance, he captivated audiences with emotionally resonant songs about love and life, including iconic hits like Je Me Voyais Déjà and La Bohème.

By the 1960s, Aznavour had risen to international stardom, performing in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and releasing chart-topping albums worldwide. He wrote or co-wrote over 1,000 songs and recorded 1,200 in multiple languages, including French, English, Spanish, and Armenian.

His music often drew from personal experiences and Armenian roots, with songs like She (1974) achieving worldwide acclaim. Beyond music, Aznavour appeared in more than 60 films, showcasing his versatility with memorable roles in Shoot the Piano Player (1960) and The Tin Drum (1979).

Aznavour was also deeply committed to humanitarian work. After the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, he co-founded the Aznavour Foundation to support recovery and development efforts. He later served as Armenia’s ambassador to Switzerland and a cultural ambassador to UNESCO.

Honored for his artistic and philanthropic contributions, he received numerous accolades, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. Even into his 90s, Aznavour continued to perform globally, with his final concert in Osaka, Japan, on September 19, 2018.

Social Media

Charles Aznavour does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Charles Aznavour was married three times throughout his life. His first marriage to Micheline Rugel in 1946 ended in divorce, as did his second marriage to Evelyne Plessis in 1960. In 1967, he married Ulla Thorsell, with whom he shared a lasting partnership until his passing.

He was a devoted father to five children: Seda, Katia, Misha, Nicolas, and Patrick. Despite his demanding career, Aznavour maintained close ties with his family and often spoke about the importance of his personal life alongside his artistic pursuits.

Charles Aznavour passed away on October 1, 2018, at 94. He died peacefully at his home in Mouriès, in southeastern France, where he was found in his bathtub. His death marked the end of an extraordinary era in music and culture.

Discography

Studio Albums:

• Aznavour et ses chansons (1954)
• Charles Aznavour (1956)
• La Bohème (1965)
• Tous les visages de l’amour (1966)
• Aznavour (1969)
• Je m’voyais déjà (1971)
• Charles Aznavour 1969-1970 (1972)
• She (1974)
• Aznavour ’83 (1983)
• Aznavour (1988)
• Ma vie (1997)
• Le Temps (2001)
• Aznavour 2003 (2003)
• Édition limitée (2006)
• Charles Aznavour à l’Olympia (2008)
• Encores (2011)
• Aznavour in Japan (2013)
• Charles Aznavour, 50 ans de carrière (2014)

Compilation Albums:

• La Bohème et autres succès (1965)
• Les Grandes Chansons (1971)
• The Best of Charles Aznavour (1995)
• Les Indispensables (2000)
• Gold (2005)
• The Essential (2018)

Notable Singles:

• La Bohème (1965)
• Je Me Voyais Déjà (1961)
• She (1974)
• Formidable (1968)
• Hier Encore (1964)

Net Worth

Charles Aznavour’s net worth at the time of his death in 2018 was estimated to be between $25 million and $145 million, with variations across reports. His wealth resulted from a remarkable career spanning over seven decades as a singer-songwriter, actor, and performer.

With over 180 million records sold, over 1,000 songs written, and performances in multiple languages, Aznavour established himself as a global icon. He also appeared in over 60 films and earned additional recognition and income through his role as a diplomat representing Armenia.