Jeanne Deckers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers |
| Also known as | The Singing Nun Sœur Sourire Sister Luc Gabriel, O.P. Luc Dominique |
| Born | 17 October 1933 Laeken, Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 29 March 1985 (aged 51) Wavre, Brabant, Belgium |
| Genres | Folk, religious |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, acoustic guitar |
| Labels | Philips Records |
Jeanne-Paule Marie "Jeannine" Deckers (17 October 1933 – 29 March 1985), better known as Sœur Sourire (French for 'Sister Smile') and often called The Singing Nun in English-speaking countries, was a Belgian Catholic singer-songwriter and former member of the Dominican Order as Sister Luc Gabriel. She acquired widespread fame in 1963 with the release of the Belgian French song "Dominique", which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and other charts, along with her debut album.
Owing partially to confusion over the terms of the recording contract, she was eventually reduced to poverty and also experienced a crisis of faith, leaving the order, though still remaining a Catholic. She died by suicide in 1985 with her life partner, Annie Pécher.