Fréhel, born Marguerite Boulc'h on July 13, 1891 in Paris, was a French singer and actress known for her powerful voice and emotional performances. Raised in a poor Breton family, she began singing in the streets and cafés of Paris. Discovered by the famous Belle Otéro, she entered the music-hall scene under the name Pervenche, later adopting the stage name Fréhel in tribute to her Breton roots.

She became a leading figure of the realist chanson genre during the interwar period, with hits like La Java Bleue, Where Are All My Lovers?, and If You Weren’t There. Her personal life was marked by tragedy, including the death of her child and a stormy affair with Maurice Chevalier. She spent years in Eastern Europe, battling addiction and depression.

Returning to Paris in 1923, she revived her career with a triumphant performance at the Olympia. She also appeared in several films, notably Pépé le Moko alongside Jean Gabin. Despite her fame, Fréhel died in poverty and solitude in a Pigalle hotel on February 3, 1951. She was buried in the Pantin cemetery, and her legacy lives on through generations of French artists.