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 'Smiling Sister') and often called The Singing Nun in English-speaking countries, was a Belgian singer-songwriter and a member of the Dominican Order in Belgium 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 to confusion over the terms of the recording contract, she was reduced to poverty, and also experienced a crisis of faith, leaving the order, though still remaining a Catholic. She died by suicide with her lifelong partner, Annie Pécher.