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Canada’s biggest star Shania Twain – from poverty to fame

Shania Twain is a major superstar whose name is known worldwide. However, her life was not always as glamorous as one would assume. It is always fascinating to know more about your favorite celebrity’s childhood.

She might dominate the charts and travel the world now, but that did not always happen. She did not always have an easy life.

Keep reading to know more about the singer’s childhood, which might surprise you.

Born to a family grappling with poverty in Timmins, Ontario, she had a tough start to her life. Her stepfather’s low-paying reforestation job and her mother’s depression made things even harder. She was just one of five children and had to learn early on to do without.

She began to sing in bars and perform; however, soon, she would have a lot more responsibility on her shoulders than just having some gigs every now and then. Soon she was left to be responsible for her siblings.

Since her family always struggled with money, she knew how to be without even essentials such as food, heating, and electricity.

She realized her life was different to that of her classmates when she would be without lunch and look at her peers during lunch, hoping they would leave some of their food uneaten so she could take it.

The young girl would usually tell her teacher that she had left her lunch in her locker or at home. She began to focus on music as a way to escape the harsh realities of her life.

She would go to the forest with her guitar, light a small fire, and then lose herself to her music. The music she played helped her forget the harshness of her real life where her responsibilities and poverty weighed her down.

First taste of performing

Her mother was able to see her talent and began to take her to gigs at local bars when she was just 8 years old. She would perform after midnight when patrons would already have their alcohol served to them since she legally could not be in a place where alcohol was actively being served at that age.

When she was 11 years old, she got a permit to perform earlier in the evening however she did not get paid till she was fourteen years old. She also started working at McDonald’s, a job she later referred to as her “saving grace,” as it allowed her to get paid while also providing her with regular meals, something she did not know about.

She would work at McDonald’s after school and then sing at bars afterward; her schedule was incredibly busy and left her exhausted. However, she focused on her music and hoped to have a better life.

However, her family struggled with things other than poverty. Her stepfather had legally adopted her and her siblings. He was harsh and abusive and made their home environment incredibly toxic and scary for the children.

She recalls having to fend for herself against his violence. She recalled a specific moment when she threw a chair at him in self-defense. “I think a lot of that was anger, not courage,” she later said of it.

Shania Twain sings on stage.
Shutterstock.com

The abuse went on for a while, and it was only one part of her trauma. When she was ten years old, her stepfather began to sexually abuse her. She kept the abuse a secret, and it further weighed on her for years till she felt brave enough to talk about it publicly.

Some of her trauma remained unresolved because when she was 22 years old, her mother and stepfather died in a car crash. Shania Twain was left to care for her younger siblings. She was the second eldest and was responsible for the younger children.

A new job

She wanted to make sure all of them were together, so she took a singing job at a nearby resort, a job that allowed her to have a small home. At the time, her life was very stressful. She woke up to chop wood to heat up the house, get her siblings to school, then sing late into the night.

The teenager had to maintain a feminine image of a polished singer for her job. She had never had time to focus on herself before, but now her job required her to take care of herself.

The big break

As her siblings grew up and became more independent, she was able to focus more on her own career. She recorded a demo and sent it to record labels. Her hard work paid off when Mercury Nashville signed her. This marked the beginning of her musical career.

As her music career started, she met a renowned music producer. The two of them collaborated and soon it turned romantic as they married one another. They soon developed Twain’s musical style, co-writing and producing together.

Her celebrity grew rapidly as a result and she reached massive audiences with her music.

But as her success rose, she noticed that her voice was having some setbacks. But it took another decade for her to get a diagnosis for Lyme disease, which had affected her vocal cords.

Shania Twain poses for camera.
Shutterstock

She had to take a break from singing and undergo surgery which left her with a raspier voice than before. She embraced this difference and focused on her music. Her musical partnership with her husband, music producer Robert “Mutt” Lange, was still working well. The two have a son together, Eja D’Angelo Lange. Apart from musically, the couple also were doing well personally however Twain discovered that her husband was cheating on her.

He was having an affair with his close friend, Marie-Anne Thiébaud, whom she had previously worked for as their secretary. Shania Twain found an unexpected ally in Thiébaud’s husband, who was just as blindsided by the affair. Her relationship with Frédéric Thiébaud started off with their mutual devastation.

However, the relationship soon turned romantic and in 2011 the two of them married and began a new chapter in their lives.

Twain revealed that she no longer holds any resentment for her ex-husband and his affair. She acknowledges what he did for her musical career and the child they share together.

The singer has seen it all in her life! She has been on the highest of highs and the lowest of lows! We are sending the singer our best for her future. Share this with other fans of Shania Twain who might not have known this about her.

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The 66-year-old mom who gave birth to twin boys

Motherhood is a truly unique and special responsibility, one quite literally as old as our species is.

Becoming a mother is one of those life-changing things that sometimes comes by surprise, other times is the result of years of patiently waiting. Regardless of what form it takes, the one thing we should all agree on is that it is always a blessing.

For the most part, none of us can predict when we might become a parent. We can do our best to make it happen – if it’s what we want – but life has ever been, and will always be, unpredictable.

Some women become mothers young, bringing new life into the world while they’re still in their teens. Others fall pregnant later on in their own lives. Others, sadly, face problems that mean they might never get to deliver a baby of their own blood.

Of course, there is no right or wrong way. All babies should be celebrated, just as all mothers should be championed for the awe-inspiring journey they and their bodies go through in the process of creating another human being.

Some women, though, like Maria Carmen del Bousada, who lived in Cadiz, Spain, face scorn, sometimes even oppression, for their decisions concerning when or how to have a baby.

Back in 2006, Maria revealed her family were shocked when she told them she was pregnant with twins.

Why? Because she was 66 years old.

According to reports, Maria, a retired store employee, sold her house to be able to afford IVF treatment that would enable her to fall pregnant despite her years. She is said to have lied to doctors at a fertility clinic in California, telling them she was 55.

It was Maria’s belief that everyone should be able to choose when they want to start a family, instead of being pressured into it by society or the expectations of others.

Diagnosed with cancer

As per The Guardian newspaper, she said at the time: “Often circumstances put you between a rock and a hard place, and maybe things shouldn’t have been done in the way they were done, but that was the only way to achieve the thing I had always dreamed of.”

Naturally, not everyone agreed with her.

Chief among her critics were members of her own family, who labeled her selfish. Maria even said that she had hidden her pregnancy for a time, and that her relatives thought she was joking when she decided to tell them.

In 2006, Maria gave birth to a set of healthy twin boys, Christian and Pau, becoming the oldest mom in the world in the process.

Tragically, though, she would not get to see them grow up. Just six months after giving birth, the new mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

“They’re still babies, so I haven’t told them,” she said at the time. “They’re too young for these things.”

Maria Carmen del Bousada children

In a turn of events, Maria’s family was forced to step in and assist her in the raising of Christian and Pau. The retired mom passed away in 2009, only getting to enjoy a few short years with her boys.

Maria’s brother Ricardo commented: “I think she has done this too late in life … but now they are here. We love these beautiful boys.”

Not only that, but Pilar Pinto, a resident of Cadiz, where Maria lived, provided an update on how life is going for Christian and Pau.

“They are being well taken care of and are in great shape,” he said. “I see them here often in town.”

Pinto added: “God didn’t let her enjoy her children very much. He should have given her more time.”

For her part, Maria remained resolute to the very end with regards to her decision to have children later in life.

Such a beautiful story. I don’t know about you, but I think all women should reserve the right to decide when they want to have children.

What do you think about Maria’s decision to have babies in her 60s? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box on Facebook.

Meanwhile, share this article on social media to help us keep the debate going. Rest in peace, Maria!

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Oscar Pistorius’ new life 12 years after shooting his lover to death

The story of Oscar Pistorius, 38, is one that’s hard to forget.

Now, over a decade after he tragically shot his then-girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, the disgraced former Paralympian has reportedly built a new life outside the prison walls.

And many can hardly believe it when he reveals his new girlfriend…

Overturned his conviction

Back in early 2013, the world was shocked by a tragic event that left many in disbelief. Oscar Pistorius, the famous South African track star known as The Blade Runner for his prosthetic legs, was accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp.

How could someone who had once been hailed as a hero be involved in such a horrific crime?

It was in the early hours of February 14, 2013, when Pistorius fired four shots through a bathroom door, claiming he thought he was defending himself from an intruder. He said he had no idea that his girlfriend, Reeva, was behind the door.

This shocking event left the world questioning everything they knew about the Olympic sprinter. At his trial the following year, Pistorius was initially found guilty of culpable homicide and sentenced to five years in prison.

Getty Images

But in 2016, South Africa’s Supreme Court overturned this conviction, instead finding him guilty of murder and extending his sentence by another six years.

That same year, Pistorius sat down for his first and only TV interview with William-Thomas, where he revealed the weight of his actions:

”I did take Reeva’s life and I have to live with that,” he said, adding, ”I can smell the blood. I can feel the warmness of it on my hands. And to know that that’s your fault, that that’s what you’ve done.”

But now, over a decade later, Pistorius has reportedly started a new chapter in his life, with news of a new girlfriend stirring up reactions online.

“I do not run like a man…”

After serving time for his conviction, Oscar Pistorius was granted parole last year and released from Atteridgeville Correctional Centre. According to the Daily Mail, Pistorius now resides in his uncle’s luxurious, gated multi-million-pound mansion in Pretoria and he seems to keep a low profile.

Now leading a more low-key life, the former Paralympic gold medalist seems determined to embody the message tattooed on his back: “I do not run like a man running aimlessly.”

It seems Pistorius has also returned to running. Mark Williams-Thomas, a detective-turned-broadcaster who stays in regular contact with him, told the Daily Telegraph that after years behind bars, Pistorius is working on rebuilding his fitness.

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp / Getty Images

”Exercise has always been so important to Oscar. He knows how important it is to keep fit and stay healthy. When he came out [of prison], he was a shadow of himself. In the first early days, I would speak to him and he was just profoundly exhausted, mentally and physically. He is much better now,” Williams-Thomas shared.

When Pistorius steps outside the high-security mansion — fortified by towering 15-foot walls — he spends his time giving back to the community. He has been volunteering at a local church, where he helps with cleaning duties, and has even launched a new charity initiative.

But it’s not just his new routine that has people talking. Reports suggest Pistorius has also found love again, as he is now in a relationship with Rita Greyling, who has become a regular visitor to his home.

But it’s not just his new routine that has people talking. Reports suggest Pistorius is enjoying a new life with his Reeva Steenkamp doppelgänger girlfriend, Rita Greyling, in a millionaire’s mansion—12 years after he shot Ms. Steenkamp to death.

Getty Images

According to the Daily Mail, Greyling is a frequent visitor to the lavish mansion where Pistorius now resides. The 35-year-old business management consultant lives just a stone’s throw away, making their secret rendezvous all the more convenient.

What makes this romance even more intriguing?

Greyling comes from serious money — her millionaire parents have been close friends with the Pistorius family for years. While the couple has been keeping things low-key, insiders spilled to MailOnline back in December that Pistorius is absolutely smitten. In fact, he’s reportedly already thinking about marriage — and even starting a family — with his new love.

Based on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Greyling appears to be a practicing Christian. She frequently shares spiritual posts, Bible verses, and motivational quotes about her faith.

Pistorius’ romance with Greyling isn’t exactly a secret — his family seems to be fully on board. His brother Carl follows her on Instagram, while his Uncle Leo, 62, keeps tabs on her father. Leo’s wife, Hermine, is even Facebook friends with Greyling, her brother Ghini, and another family member, Hella.

But while Pistorius’ inner circle appears to embrace the relationship, not everyone is celebrating. Reeva Steenkamp’s family has strongly condemned it.

Her mother, June, didn’t hold back, previously stating that she would be “concerned for the safety of any woman” who gets involved with him.

Reeva’s older sister Simone Cowburn reportedly said: “Is she nuts?”

Pistorius has long faced troubling accusations of being controlling and abusive toward women. Chilling text messages between him and Reeva revealed a deeply toxic relationship, filled with fear and tension.

Oscar Pistorius and Reeva Steenkamp / Getty

His ex-girlfriend, Samantha Taylor, has spoken out about her own terrifying experiences, admitting that she once feared for her life. In one particularly disturbing incident, she was so afraid of his violent temper that she hid his gun —desperate to prevent what she feared could happen next.

The eerie resemblance between Rita Greyling and the late Reeva Steenkamp has not gone unnoticed. It’s almost unsettling—like a ghost from the past. To make things even more bizarre, their names are strikingly similar.

Daily Mail took things a step further, creating a side-by-side mash-up of Reeva and Rita. The result? Chilling. It’s hard to ignore just how alike they look—almost as if history is repeating itself.

Oscar Pistorius’ life after prison has been nothing short of controversial, as he continues to navigate a new chapter with his girlfriend, Rita Greyling. While some are still struggling to accept his past and its devastating consequences, others are left wondering what the future holds for the former Olympic star.

With a quiet life, personal growth, and new relationships, Pistorius is clearly seeking redemption, but whether he can fully escape his past remains to be seen.

Let us know your thoughts.

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Why Barron Trump always carries a black backpack to class

Barron Trump has been a student at Stern Business School at New York University for about six months. The son of Donald Trump got to take some days off from school when his father was sworn in as the 47th US President on January 20, but now, he’s back in the Big Apple to continue his studies. Several reports have emerged about his life on-campus, with students having a variety of things to say about him.

Barron Trump is escorted by several Secret Service agents while attending school. Meanwhile, the 18-year-old has been seen walking around campus with a black backpack, which appears to have a significant meaning behind it. In fact, Barron Trump’s backpack paints a picture of his new life that not many might be familiar with.

Barron had been outside the spotlight for years before appearing with his father, Donald Trump, to celebrate the presidential election victory this past November. The 18-year-old son of Donald and Melania Trump has always been an object of interest for people worldwide due to his height, and his star-status has only grown as he’s entered adulthood.

Since last year, Barron has been studying at Stern Business School at New York University. While not much is known about his life there, several students gave their verdict about the president’s son last fall.

The British newspaper Daily Mail spoke to several individuals who attend New York University, with some saying that Barron has become very popular among the ladies. Meanwhile, Secret Service agents trail him everywhere he goes.

Barron was caught by paparazzi photographers during his first day at NYU. Naturally many “regular” people attend the school, and it appears they have mixed emotions about Barron.

One even speculated that Barron might change his outlook on life in order to fit in.

“He’s going to NYU, so if he is at all interested in girls, he’s going to become kind of liberal, I’ll tell you that,” one student told the Daily Mail.

What NUY students think of Barron Trump

Another student stated: “My mom is going to want me to marry him.”

Secret Service agents will, as mentioned, follow Barron around campus all the time. A third student stated they felt “really bad for him” as he “did not choose this life.”

A fourth student said: “His dad is his dad and he is own person so I’m not going to judge,” adding that she would definitely consider a friendship. “Of course, who wouldn’t want to be friends with a Trump?”

However, not everyone is thrilled that the president’s son will study at NYU. One student said she would “absolutely not” be friends with Barron.

“It speaks to the privilege that a lot of the NYU kids have. I’m only here because of financial aid,” the student in question told the Daily Mail.

According to a People Magazine source, the 18-year-old has been “popular with the ladies” since starting classes in September.

“He’s at Stern so he’s studying business in some way. He’s a ladies man for sure. He’s really popular with the ladies,” the source said. “He’s tall and handsome. A lot of people seem to think he’s pretty attractive — yes, even liberal people like him.”

Making new friends after arriving at a completely new place can be challenging. While being Donald Trump’s son might break a lot of ice, it’s most important for Barron to surround himself with people who want to be his friends, rather than those looking to buddy up with someone famous.

Barron Trump invites students to play videogames online with him

As Secret Service agents constantly surround Barron, it is most likely tricky to have a conversation with him in the first place. US outlet TMZ states he has struggled to blend in at New York University. However, he has found a clever way to connect with new college friends—online. The news outlet states that Barron has turned to online gaming, inviting classmates to play with him in the virtual world.

According to TMZ, he has invited them to join him on the popular gaming platform Discord, where users play games and chat with each other. Since he’s a big soccer fan, he plays the popular video game EA Sports FC 25.

Technically Barron could walk from Trump Tower to New York University, but that’s naturally out of the question given the associated security risks. As such, he’s reportedly escorted to and from campus in an SUV. TMZ reports that classmates have described him as “chill” while a new report about his life at NUY is now circulating.

“He’s sort of like an oddity on campus,” Kaya Walker, the president of NYU College Republicans, told Vanity Fair. “He goes to class, he goes home.”

Following his parents’ White House exit in 2021, Barron’s life was a mystery. He, Donald, and Melania decided to move to Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, where the youngster attended the private Oxbridge Academy High School. While there were practically no forthcoming reports about his life there, rumors about him having a girlfriend did spread.

In answer to that speculation, his father, Donald Trump, claimed his son had never had a girlfriend, at least that he knew of.

Why Barron Trump carries a black backpack at NUY campus

Trying new things and getting to know new people is part of going to college, and in Barron’s case it’s no different. Shockingly, the Daily Mail even pointed out that the 21-year-old influencer Maria Arana, a Mexican American NYU student who grew up in Miami, could be a “future Mrs Barron Trump.”

Speaking with Vanity Fair, Arana, who is studying child psychology at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, said, “I just thought it was very random. But it’s not like I was against it.”

The 21-year-old explained that she had never met Barron. However, she has spotted the procession of vehicles that have taken him to school. Trump’s youngest son benefits from the security of the Secret Service, who take him to and from school and escort him around the place while he’s there. This, in and of itself, will perhaps make it harder for him to meet new friends.

Yet Barron may have a clever trick to ensure he at least appears approachable. He is said to carry a black backpack to school, and although it’s necessary for keeping pens, notebooks, and computers safe, there could also be a hidden reason behind it.

On TikTok, one user claimed that there is a specific reason Barron carries the $88 backpack wherever he goes.

“As Trump’s son, and the future heir, Barron is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but he always carries an inexpensive black school bag. Barron lived a life of luxury from childhood. He was raised by Melania, and had a life of ease and plenty since he was a child;” the user wrote, per Express.

“An ordinary student”

“However, no one would believe that under Trump’s guidance, Barron is very thrifty in private. Since he entered college, he has been carrying an $88 black school bag, which makes Barron look more like an ordinary student.

“It enables him to keep a low profile, and be more approachable in public, and allows him to participate in various activities more comfortably. In addition, since Trump became President, he has been opposed to extravagance and waste and has even donated his own money to charity at times.”

The user on TikTok concluded: “In order to follow in Trump’s footsteps, Barron has always kept a low profile. Even at the age of 18, he has never bought luxury goods. To some extent, this can also better shape Barron’s positive image, prepare him for being the heir in the future and play a positive role in the overall image of the Trump family.”

Barron has been praised for his character by his father and mother, and there’s been no reason for people to doubt their judgement. Other than the opinions shared by Donald and Melania, zero reports have emerged regarding what he’s like… until recently.

Luxury styling service Bespoke Pearce’s chief executive officer, Nathan Pearce, helped the president’s son select several suits, dress shirts, and a cashmere overcoat for Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Barron Turmp’s stylist reveals how he is really like

In an interview with Women’s Wear Daily, Pearce revealed some interesting things about Barron and his personality. Because of his private life, some might believe that Barron is relatively closed and quiet. However, that is far from the truth, according to Pearce.

“He’s this super-bright kid. He’s well beyond his years in terms of experience, knowledge, history. He’s just very fascinating to talk to,” he told Women’s Wear Daily.

“You know what is another word I would say [about him]? Hospitable. He is down-to-earth, nice as can be and hospitable,” Pearce continued, recalling how Barron shook his hand when they first met, thanking him multiple times when he arrived at Mar-a-Lago. The youngster even offered to show the stylist around the Palm Beach estate.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him over the last one or two years,” Pearce explained. He added that he didn’t take Trump’s business for granted, wanting him to be very happy with his outfit.

“I recognize that Barron Trump could be choosing from tailors all over the world, and he chose me and Pearce Bespoke. I’m super-grateful and super-proud of that,” Pearce added.

Donald Trump might not be known for his great sense of humor, though that idea is a debate to be had another time. It appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, with Pearce labeling Barron’s humor “dry.”

“He’s hilarious. But as I said, he’s super-sharp. You put him in a room with star businessmen, and he will hold his own. He can talk to them all day because he’s witty, smart, and has a dry sense of humor,” the stylist concluded.

Do you think Barron Trump will pursue a career in politics just like his father? Please share this article on Facebook with friends and family and give us your opinion!

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