Charles Aznavour

Charles Aznavour, born on May 22, 1924, was a remarkable French and Armenian singer-songwriter, actor, and diplomat whose career spanned over seventy years. Renowned for his distinctive vibrato tenor voice, Aznavour captivated audiences with his clear and ringing upper notes, complemented by gravelly and profound lows. Throughout his illustrious career, he recorded more than one thousand two hundred songs in various languages and wrote or co-wrote over one thousand songs for himself and others, solidifying his status as one of the greatest songwriters in history.

Aznavour's influence extended beyond music; he performed for presidents, popes, and royalty, and participated in numerous humanitarian events. In response to the devastating 1988 Armenian earthquake, he co-founded the charitable organization Aznavour for Armenia with his long-time friend Lévon Sayan. His commitment to his heritage was further exemplified when he was appointed Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Armenia to UNESCO in 1994, a role he held until his passing in 2018. In 2008, he received Armenian citizenship and was appointed ambassador to Switzerland the following year, as well as Armenia's permanent delegate to the United Nations in Geneva.

Often referred to as France's Frank Sinatra, Aznavour was celebrated as one of the most popular and enduring singers in France. Music critic Stephen Holden described him as a 'French pop deity,' and he was recognized by various media outlets as the most famous Armenian of all time. His contributions to music earned him around sixty gold and platinum records globally between 1974 and 2016, with total sales exceeding one hundred eighty million units.

In 2014, Aznavour embarked on his last world tour, and in 2017, he was honored with the two thousand six hundred eighteenth star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. That same year, he and his sister, Aida Aznavourian, received the Raoul Wallenberg Award for their efforts in sheltering Jews during World War II. His final performance took place at the NHK Hall in Osaka in September 2018, marking the end of an extraordinary career.