With a large amount of reductions, NEWS.am presents journalist Susana Cords’s article published in Deutsche Welle.

Living legend Charles Aznavour is the most popular French singer and perhaps the most famous Armenian. On May 22^nd, Aznavour is celebrating his 90^th birthday in Berlin. Many people his age have already retired, but Aznavour can’t live without giving concerts. Recently, he released a new album and is working on songs for a Broadway show. He will be giving 30 concerts this year.

Every morning, Aznavour goes down to the basement of his house in Lausanne and creates. He doesn’t just write songs about love. His latest song makes a person want to get out on the street and makes a person believe that he has to fight against unacceptable phenomena wherever he may be.

During a banquet with high-ranking Armenian officials, Aznavour told President of France Francois Hollande that he hadn’t voted for him in the elections. Hollande didn’t take this seriously. Aznavour has been a world hit for a long time now. He has assumed this role and says: “So, who reflects France? Wonderful women, actresses and I. Whenever there is a presentation, I must be there.”

Shahnur Vaghinak Aznavourian was born on May 22, 1924 in Paris to a family of Armenian refugees. His father was a singer, and his mother was an actress. Aznavour first performed on stage at the age of 9 in a district of immigrants where he spent his childhood.

The man with a height of 1.61 meters has reached the peak in the world of music across Europe. World famous singer Edit Piaf helped him move forward and participate in her tours in 1946. Since then, he has achieved great heights. “I don’t know if I’m a good or bad singer, in the classic meaning of that. The expressiveness of voice is more important than the beauty of it, as well as how a person performs the song. In my songs, I have always tried to share my personal stories,” Aznavour said on one occasion.

Throughout his 70-year career, Charles Aznavour has released nearly 100 albums, has performed duets with Plácido Domingo, Elton John, Liza Minelli and others. In 1998, he was recognized as the Pop Singer of the Century in the United States.

There was a moment when he took pride in his wealth and would drive a Rolls Royce. In 1967, he got married to Ulla Ingegerd-Torsel, who was his third wife. “She didn’t need glamour or receptions. She brings me back to reality when I let my ambitions run free,” said Aznavour. Today, he drives an energy-saving car, saves more and mentions that he has to think of his grandchildren.

Aznavour has used his fame to support the country that his parents originated from. The Aznavour for Armenia Foundation has helped raise millions for charities. President of France Jacques Shirac has granted Aznavour the Legion of Honor. In 2008, Aznavour acquired Armenian citizenship, and since 2009, he has been Armenia’s Ambassador to Switzerland and UNICEF. There is also a cultural center named after him in Yerevan.

NEWS.am