Punk Icon Patti Smith Reveals Her Jewish Heritage
American singer, writer, and punk pioneer Patti Smith disclosed in her latest memoir Bread of Angels, published on November 4, that she learned she is half Jewish through her father’s lineage. The discovery, made on her 70th birthday, came as a surprise and deeply affected her creative process.
Discovery Through DNA Testing
Smith explained that she and her sister decided to take a DNA test after their mother’s death. The results revealed that her paternal ancestry was entirely Ashkenazi Jewish.
“We wept upon seeing the results,” she wrote. “The discovery put a great strain on my thought process, and for some time I was unable to write.”
Family Background
Her biological father, Sidney, was a Jewish pilot whose family originated in Russia, fled to Ukraine, and eventually settled in Philadelphia. Smith shared that learning the truth brought emotional turmoil.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit broken-hearted,” she admitted. “Grant will always be my father, but now I have two fathers.”
A Figure of the Punk era
Known as the “Godmother of Punk,” Patti Smith was a central figure in New York’s 1970s counterculture. She moved among creatives such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, shaping the sound and spirit of the punk movement.
Author’s Summary
Smith’s memoir blends self-discovery and identity as she reflects on family secrets, artistic growth, and her connection to Jewish heritage, adding new depth to the story of a punk legend.