Patti Smith Reveals Shocking Family Secret in New Memoir ‘Bread of Angels’

Patti Smith just shared a deeply personal revelation. She discovered the man who raised her was not her biological father. The news came from DNA testing.

The rock legend details this journey in her new book, ‘Bread of Angels.’ The information reshaped her entire family story. It forced a difficult rewrite of her memoir.

Discovery Through DNA Testing Alters a Lifetime of Belief

Smith’s discovery unfolded in stages. Her mother, Beverly, first hinted at the truth in 2002. A decade later, Smith took a DNA test with her sister, Linda.

The results confirmed they were half-sisters. According to PEOPLE magazine, this revelation caused immense emotional strain. Smith felt her personal history had a “parallel truth.”

She writes in her book about the profound impact. The news halted her writing process for a time. She felt compelled to include it for the sake of honesty.

Smith had long suspected a different man was her father. The DNA results confirmed this was not the case either. The true identity of her biological father remains a private matter.

Integrating Personal Truth into a Public Legacy

The memoir follows her acclaimed book, ‘Just Kids.’ It traces her life from childhood to punk icon and mother. This new chapter adds a complex layer to her origin story.

For fans, it offers a raw look at identity and family. It shows that personal truths can shift at any age. Smith’s handling of the news is a lesson in graceful reckoning.

The 77-year-old artist continues to perform and create. This revelation adds depth to her already compelling public narrative. It underscores the universal search for self-understanding.

Patti Smith’s candid disclosure in ‘Bread of Angels’ redefines her personal history. The story of her father is a powerful testament to truth’s complexity. It proves that family legacies are often stories we must courageously rewrite.

Thought you’d like to know-

Q1: What is Patti Smith’s new book about?

‘Bread of Angels’ is a memoir. It covers her childhood, career, and the recent discovery about her paternity. The book follows her National Book Award-winning ‘Just Kids’.

Q2: How did Patti Smith find out about her father?

Her mother first mentioned it in 2002. Later, a DNA test with her sister in 2012 provided confirmation. The test showed they were half-sisters.

Q3: What was Patti Smith’s reaction to the news?

She describes feeling a great strain on her thoughts. She was unable to write for a period. Smith felt including it was necessary for a truthful narrative.

Q4: Has this affected Patti Smith’s view of her family?

It changed her understanding of her family story. She had to process a “parallel truth.” The experience is documented with raw honesty in her memoir.

Q5: Who did Patti Smith think her father was before the test?

She had all but accepted she was fathered by her mother’s Uncle Joe. The DNA results did not confirm this belief. The actual identity is kept private.

Q6: Is Patti Smith still performing music?

Yes, the 77-year-old artist remains active. She continues to perform concerts and create new work. Her latest project is this deeply personal literary work.