Shania Twain, born Eileen Regina Edwards on August 28, 1965, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actress who has left an unforgettable mark on the world of country and pop music.

Her incredible history and unique blend of country and rock influences have made her one of the best-selling female artists in country music history. Twain’s journey from a tough upbringing to becoming a global star is truly inspiring.

Twain’s big break came with her 1995 album “The Woman in Me,” which featured hit singles like “Any Man of Mine” and “Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under?”

The album propelled her to superstardom, earning Grammy Awards and making her a household name. However, it was her 1997 album, “Come On Over,” that truly cemented her status as an international icon.

Songs like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “You’re Still the One” became anthems of the late 1990s and early 2000s, transcending genres and capturing the hearts of music lovers everywhere.

In addition to her musical talent, Shania Twain’s resilience has been a source of inspiration. She overcame personal challenges, including a difficult childhood and a severe battle with Lyme disease, which threatened her singing career. Twain made a triumphant return to the stage with a Las Vegas residency and released her 2017 album “Now,” showcasing her determination and stubborn ability to overcome adversity.

Shania Twain’s influence on the music industry extends far beyond her chart-topping hits. She remains an enduring symbol of strength, versatility, and resilience. As she gears up for her 2023 tour, she shared an optimistic perspective with Billboard, reflecting on a time five years ago when she believed she might never perform again.

She has worked diligently to return to singing and now maintains a rigorous daily schedule, preparing everything from lighting to costumes. She admitted, “My days are very long,” but if anyone is up to the challenge, it’s Twain. The sorrow and hardship that would break many have been hurdles she has already faced.

And her challenging journey began at a very young age. Twain’s life has been anything but easy, from growing up in poverty to battling the patriarchal views in a male-dominated industry.

Her triumphant album releases and return to the stage after times that could have ended many careers are testaments to her unyielding will and fortitude—traits forged through a lifetime of struggles.

Shania Twain’s struggles began the moment she was born. In her autobiography, “From This Moment On,” she described how the doctor handed her mother a cigarette, thinking the baby wouldn’t survive after a prolonged and traumatic breech birth. Against all odds, the baby—Twain—did breathe for the first time.

Born Eilleen Regina Edwards, Twain was her mother’s second child and the first with her husband, Clarence Edwards. Twain’s older sister, Jill, had been born shortly after their mother’s fiancé died in a car accident, and her marriage to Edwards would be no happier.

Twain’s parents separated when she was very young. Although her mother assured her that her father had cut all ties, Twain couldn’t shake the wonder. “Growing up, I knew he existed,” she wrote. “I wondered if he cared about me and what he thought of me.”

When Twain’s mother remarried, she was just about to enter kindergarten. She described her stepfather, Jerry Twain, an Ojibway Native, as having “a bright, charming personality with a playful character and plenty of jokes and pranks.” Despite her admiration for him, she was aware of the violent relationship between her parents.

Shania Twain has been incredibly transparent about how her family’s poverty-stricken upbringing affected their lives. In an interview with Hoda Kotb on “Making Space with Hoda Kotb,” she shared stories about the difficulties of growing up in Canada without essentials like warm clothing and waterproof boots and having to make up excuses to avoid lunch.

In her memoir, she recounted how her stepfather’s steady but low-paying jobs led to constant financial hardship and, ultimately, physical aggression. She detailed an incident where her stepfather “slammed her [mother’s] head against the side of the basin, knocking her out cold,” likely due to arguments over money for groceries. Jerry repeatedly dunked her mother’s head into the toilet.

As Shania and her sisters fled to the snow-covered porch, screaming for help, the police arrived. The fighting stopped, and the officers ominously remarked, “Until next time.”