Patti Smith on Discovering Her True Parentage
The 77-year-old musician and writer, often known as the godmother of punk, has opened up about a deeply personal revelation in her new memoir, Bread of Angels, published on 4 November by Random House.
The Discovery
In the book, Patti Smith recounts how she learned that the man who raised her was not her biological father. This truth came to light through DNA testing and transformed her understanding of her family and upbringing.
“Learning the truth about my father reshaped how I see my own story and the people who shaped it.”
Looking Back on a Life in Art
Bread of Angels, which follows her acclaimed National Book Award-winning memoir Just Kids, traces Smith’s evolution from her childhood in Chicago to her rise in the music world and her experiences as a mother and writer.
Through intimate reflection, she connects her creative journey with the shifting truths of identity, family, and belonging.
Publication Details
- Author: Patti Smith
- Title: Bread of Angels
- Publisher: Random House
- Release Date: 4 November 2025
Author’s Summary: Patti Smith’s latest memoir explores how a late revelation about her parentage reshaped her lifelong journey through music, art, and identity.
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