Garou, Pierre Garand by his real name, is one of the most famous artists of his generation. Before achieving success in France and internationally with hits like “Seul”, “Belle”, and “Je n’attendais que vous”, the now 53-year-old singer grew up in a modest family in Quebec. It was in the late 90s that he took flight to France thanks to his role in the musical “Notre-Dame de Paris”. He then played the character of Quasimodo. This celebrity allowed him to launch his solo career and become the multi-talented artist we know today, although he struggled to accept his fame.
Garou: this “rather incredible story” at the origin of his birth
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, “La Tribune Dimanche” published an interview with Garou on the occasion of his show “Solo”. During this event, the artist shared an anecdote about his origins, a “rather incredible story” that sheds light on a part of his childhood. In fact, his birth almost never happened if his mother had listened to the doctors. “After my big sister, my parents tried to have another child, but it didn’t work. My mother had a miscarriage, then a cyst was discovered. The doctors explained that after the planned operation, she wouldn’t be able to have children,” he explained before recounting a life-changing encounter for his parents and his own birth.
Garou: how a fortune-teller changed his existence
He continued with these words: “One of my aunts then advised her to consult a fortune-teller – eight hours away! This is quite surprising considering how deeply Catholic my parents were. The fortune-teller allegedly said to her: ‘Cancel your operation, you will become pregnant.’ Three months later, she was pregnant with me. Without this fortune-teller, I wouldn’t be here,” he explained, having been cherished throughout his childhood as a greatly desired child. “When you are so eagerly awaited, you are naturally surrounded by love. And that shapes you. It’s often said that we witness a need for attention. In my case, it’s almost the opposite: I was so loved that I never had to seek recognition,” he said, despite being one of the French people’s favorite artists. An extraordinary journey for someone who has now become a father himself to Emelie, a daughter in her twenties!
