UPDATE: Punk icon Patti Smith has made a groundbreaking revelation, announcing in her new memoir, Bread of Angels, that she discovered she is half Jewish on her 70th birthday. The revelation has sent shockwaves through her fanbase and the music community.
In this intimate memoir, published on November 4, 2023, Smith shares that she learned of her patrilineal ancestry as “100 percent Ashkenazi” after taking a DNA test with her sister, prompted by their mother’s passing. The emotional discovery occurred eight years ago, and Smith recalls, “we wept” upon seeing the results, which profoundly impacted her creative process, leaving her “unable to write” for a time.
The revelation centers around her biological father, Sidney, a Jewish pilot whose family fled from Russia to Ukraine before settling in Philadelphia. Smith expressed her feelings candidly, stating, “I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit broken-hearted,” upon realizing that the man who raised her, Grant Smith, was not her biological father. “Grant will always be my father,” she affirmed, adding, “But now I have two fathers.”
Patti Smith’s narrative highlights an emotional journey of self-discovery. She notes, “I don’t know a whole lot about my Jewish father, but everything I’ve found out about him, I recognize. I recognize myself in his face.” This newfound knowledge has helped her understand personal traits that differ from her family, providing a deeper connection to her identity.
Throughout her life, Smith’s mother maintained secrecy about her biological heritage. “This is how great my mother was,” Smith reflects. “She never said a word to make me feel that he wasn’t my father.” Tragically, during a routine call in 2002, her mother hinted at a “story to tell” regarding genetics, but after a severe fall, she could never share it with her daughter.
Smith’s familial history also hints at long-held suspicions regarding her paternity. Her maternal great-grandmother had questions about her biological father, suggesting that Smith’s true father might have been her great-uncle. However, this rumor was never discussed openly, leaving Smith to uncover these truths decades later.
A towering figure in music and literature, Patti Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and is celebrated for her pioneering 1975 album, Horses, which melded rock and poetry and is viewed as a seminal punk rock record.
This revelation is more than just a personal milestone; it resonates with her fans and the music community, prompting discussions about identity, family, and the secrets that shape our lives. As Smith continues to reflect on her heritage, fans around the world are eager to engage with her story.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as Patti Smith’s memoir continues to captivate and inspire. For more news, click here to sign up for our free daily newsletter.
