Charles Aznavour death: 'France's Frank Sinatra' dies aged 94

Singer had a career that lasted for more than 80 years

French singer-songwriter Charles Aznavour has died after a career lasting more than 80 years, aged 94.

Often described as “France’s Frank Sinatra”, Azvanour was best known for his 1974 chart-topping single “She”. He sold over 100 million records worldwide and starred in more than 60 films.

He was born Shahnour Varinag Aznavourian in Paris, to Armenian parents who had fled persecution in Turkey and were staying in France while waiting for a US visa.

Forced to give up school aged nine, due to his parents’ poverty, he pursued a career as an entertainer. By the time he was 11 years old, Aznavour was performing at the Theatre Marigny.

A partnership with the actor Pierre Roche led to songwriting for the likes of Maurice Chevalier, Gilbert Becaud and Edith Piaf. Azvanour’s big break arrived when Piaf, who was a fan of his voice, invited him to accompany her on tour.

He launched a solo career singing his own songs in 1950 – an ability to sing in more than six languages helped propel his fame around the world.

Charles Aznavour (right) with Edith Piaf and American actor Eddie Constantine (left) in 1950 (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Over his career he wrote more than 1,200 tracks, including “She”, which spent four weeks at No 1 and was his second hit in the UK, after 1973’s “The Old-Fashioned Way”. Other popular songs include “Toi Et Moi”, “La Mama” and “For Me Formidable”.

In 1988 he formed his own charity to help the victims of the earthquake in Armenia, and composed a song featuring several popular French singers, which topped the charts in France for more than four months.

During the French presidential elections in 1992 he encouraged fans to sing “La Marseillaise”, the French national anthem, in protest against right-wing candidate Jean-Marie Le Pen.

He was named Entertainer of the Century by CNN in 1998, and was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame last year.

Aznavour died at his home in Alpilles, southeast France, a representative for the singer said. He married three times and had six children.