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Gilbert Bécaud

Toulon, 24 Oct 1927 – Boulogne-Billancourt, 18 Dec 2001

6 facts3 sources

Facts and their sources

  • Born24 Oct 1927, Toulonnot verified1 source
  • Died18 Dec 2001, Boulogne-Billancourtnot verified1 source

A life in time

  1. 24 Oct 1927

    Born in Toulon

  2. 2 Feb 1953

    A son is born

  3. 18 Dec 2001

    Dies in Boulogne-Billancourt, aged 74

Family

See the tree

Partner

Children · 1

During his lifetime

He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Toulon.

General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.

The 1920s · Gilbert is born in Toulon

In the news1921

Public radio broadcasting starts in 1921

Public radio broadcasting officially began in France in 1921, with regular programs transmitted from an antenna atop the Eiffel Tower.

Getting around

Walking as a primary means of transport

Ordinary people commonly traveled between towns on foot, with journeys often measured in leagues, where one league equaled approximately one hour of walking.

What it cost

Rising Bread Prices 1910–1925

The price of a kilogram of bread in Paris rose from 0.39 francs in 1910 to 1.58 francs by 1925.

The Spanish flu. A flu pandemic infected a third of humanity and killed some 50 million people, more than the war that had just ended.Around the world · 1918–1920

The Spanish flu. A flu pandemic infected a third of humanity and killed some 50 million people, more than the war that had just ended.

Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine · public domain

What people wore

The decline of the worker's blouse

By the early 1900s, the traditional working man's blouse had largely disappeared in Paris, replaced by disparate outfits of jackets, vests, and trousers worn with caps. Workers often saved their best suits for Sundays and holidays, featuring accessories like bowler hats, cravats, and patent leather shoes.

Music

Traditional and modern dances

Traditional dances like the bourrée and rigadoon were passed down through generations, while new international styles like the tango, fox trot, and Charleston became widespread favorites during the interwar period. At family gatherings, elders often performed traditional dances while young people watched.

Daily life

Compulsory schooling and literacy

By 1900, free and compulsory primary education created a new generation of literate children who often acted as cultural mediators for their illiterate parents and grandparents.