Shania Twain Reflects on Her Journey in Her 60s

In her 60s, Shania Twain is embracing her past, considering the extensive path she’s traveled from a humble childhood in rural Canada to achieving global fame.

During a recent interview on “CBS Morning,” the celebrated singer discussed her challenging upbringing and how her perspective has shifted as she’s aged.

“I started life on a little bit of a tough side,” Twain shared, adding, “Now that I’m in my 60s, I feel like I was absolutely right.”

When asked how she’s gained such insights in her later years, Twain simply remarked, “You know what that is? It’s called time. I wanted to get it right in my 50s, but I didn’t have enough time. I needed to be in my 60s to start getting it right.”

Born Eileen Regina Edwards in Windsor, Ontario, Twain’s early life was difficult. After her biological parents split when she was two, her mother Sharon and adoptive father Jerry raised her in Timmins.

Twain’s family faced financial struggles, and she candidly discussed seeing domestic violence in her home. Her childhood was marked by responsibilities that far exceeded those typically placed on children. “When I was younger, I had too much responsibility for my family,” she recalled. “My mother was often depressed. She spent most of her days in bed. I took her to bed to see if she was still alive.”

Throughout her youth, Twain experienced considerable instability. “There was a lot of violence in the house,” she noted, adding, “We weren’t eating well. We weren’t often dressed properly.”

Despite this, she began performing at eight to support her family. Although her early performances in smoky bars instilled a lasting stage fright, she eventually transformed these experiences. “It was an uncomfortable place for me as a child, so I’ve always held onto that,” she explained. “In my 50s, I finally said, ‘Oh, I have a voice. I have an audience. I have everything to celebrate.'” And just like that, her fear vanished.

Her struggles didn’t end with her childhood. At 22, a tragic car accident claimed the lives of her mother and stepfather. As her older sister and she were adults, they had to take on the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings—an unexpected role that forced Twain to put her own musical ambitions on hold.

Recalling this period, she shared, “I was responsible for making decisions about my parents’ mortgage. I didn’t know what it was. I had to learn overnight.” However, she now views those challenges with gratitude instead of focusing solely on the difficulties.

Looking back, Twain stated, “When I look back on those days, I think of them from where I am now, and that’s a pretty good place to be.” After her siblings gained independence, she returned to her dreams, moving to Nashville in 1991, where she signed with Mercury Nashville.

Twain’s breakthrough arrived in 1995 with her album, “The Woman in Me,” which earned her a Grammy. Two years later, her follow-up, “Come On Over,” became the best-selling album ever by a female artist. Throughout her career, she’s sold over 100 million records and won multiple Grammy Awards, solidifying her status as a country music superstar.

Yet, success brought her new challenges, including a divorce and health issues stemming from Lyme disease, diagnosed in 2003. This illness impacted her vocal cords, causing a lengthy break from recording. In 2017, she returned with the album “Now,” which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

After a throat surgery in 2018, Twain found her voice again. “Once it hit, it was right there,” she reflected. “I feel lucky. It’s been a long road, but I’m so grateful to have made it back.” While acknowledging the changes in her voice, she pointed out, “I’ve accepted it. Now it’s part of my sound.”

Twain recently surprised fans with a performance at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The venue held special significance for her. “We were all talking about it up north, saying, ‘Oh, maybe one day we’ll be able to play at the Horseshoe Tavern.’ And now here I am,” she stated, calling it a full-circle moment.

In her conversation with CBS Mornings, Twain shared that her latest album, “Little Miss Twain,” reflects on her childhood experiences and the journey of her children. “It took decades to feel like I got it right,” she admitted, but added, “That’s fine. Anyway, I plan on living until I’m 200 years old!”