Shania Twain is an iconic superstar recognized all over the globe. Yet, her journey to fame wasn’t as glamorous as many might think. It’s always intriguing to delve into the childhood of your favorite celebrities.

While she now reigns at the top of the music charts and tours internationally, her early life was quite different. She faced numerous challenges growing up.

Continue reading to uncover more about the singer’s surprising childhood.

Shania was born into a family struggling with poverty in Timmins, Ontario, which made her early years quite difficult. With her stepfather working a low-wage job in reforestation and her mother battling depression, life was tough. As one of five siblings, she quickly learned to make do with very little.

She started singing in local bars, but soon found herself with greater responsibilities than just occasional performances. She became the primary caregiver for her siblings.

With her family constantly facing financial hardships, she often went without basic necessities like food, heat, and electricity.

She became acutely aware of her situation when she would sit without lunch, watching her classmates eat and hoping for leftovers to share.

Often, she would tell her teacher that she had forgotten her lunch at home or in her locker. Music became her refuge, a way to escape the difficult realities surrounding her.

She would retreat to the woods with her guitar, light a small fire, and immerse herself in her music. The melodies she played provided a temporary escape from the burdens of her responsibilities and the weight of poverty.

First taste of performing

Her mother recognized her talent early on and started taking her to local bar gigs when she was only 8 years old. Since she was too young to be in a place where alcohol was served, she would perform after midnight when the patrons were already enjoying their drinks.

At the age of 11, she obtained a permit that allowed her to perform earlier in the evening, but she didn’t start getting paid until she turned 14. During this time, she also took a job at McDonald’s, which she later described as her “saving grace.” It provided her with a paycheck and regular meals, something she had been missing.

After school, she would work at McDonald’s and then head to the bars to sing, leaving her with a packed schedule that often left her feeling drained. Despite the exhaustion, her passion for music kept her motivated as she dreamed of a brighter future.

However, her family faced challenges beyond financial struggles. Her stepfather, who had legally adopted her and her siblings, was abusive, creating a frightening and toxic home life for the children.

She remembers having to protect herself from his violence, including a moment when she threw a chair at him in self-defense. Reflecting on that incident, she later remarked, “I think a lot of that was anger, not courage.”