Enrico Macias

Updated: March 23, 2026

Name: Gaston Ghrenassia
Date of Birth: December 11, 1938 (age 87)
Origin: Constantine, French Algeria
Gender: Male
Height (cm): 170
Nationality: French
Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Musician
Genres: Chanson, French Pop, Sephardic Music, World Music

Biography & Career:
Enrico Macias is a French singer, songwriter, and musician whose unique blend of French chanson with Andalusian, Arabic, and Sephardic influences has captivated audiences for over six decades. Born Gaston Ghrenassia on December 11, 1938, in Constantine, French Algeria, the artist grew up in a family of Sephardic Jewish musicians. The father, Sylvain Ghrenassia, was a violinist in a malouf orchestra, and the mother, Suzanne Zaouch, nurtured a home filled with music. Both parents instilled a deep love of melody, and by age 15 the young Gaston joined the legendary Cheikh Raymond Leyris Orchestra. Religion — Judaism — and the rich traditions of Constantine's Sephardic community shaped the artist's identity and future songs.

In 1961, during the Algerian War of Independence, the assassination of Cheikh Raymond — mentor and future father-in-law — forced the young musician to flee Algeria with wife Suzy Leyris. On the ship to France, the iconic Adieu mon pays was composed — a farewell to a lost homeland. Settling in Paris, a new career was built through cafés and cabarets. The stage name Enrico Macias was adopted in 1962, and a television debut turned the exile into an overnight sensation. The discographie spans over 55 albums and hundreds of singles. Best songs — Adieu mon pays, Les gens du Nord, Solenzara, L'Oriental, Paris tu m'as pris dans tes bras, Zingarella, Enfants de tous pays, Le mendiant de l'amour — became timeless classics. International concerts at Carnegie Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and on Broadway cemented a global reputation. The Légion d'Honneur was awarded in 1985, and in 1997 UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan named the singer Roving Ambassador for Peace and the Defence of Children.

The first wife, Suzy Leyris, remained the greatest inspiration behind many songs until her death in 2008. Two children were born: daughter Jocya Macias and son Jean-Claude Ghrenassia, a music producer who collaborated on later albums. In 2023, at 85, a marriage to Natsuko — a woman of Japanese origin — opened a new chapter, publicly revealed at a birthday concert at the Théâtre Déjazet in Paris. As of 2026, Enrico Macias continues to tour actively, with upcoming events and concerts across France, Turkey, and at L'Olympia in Paris. Tickets remain in high demand — at age 87, the voice that once sang farewell to Algeria still carries messages of love and peace to audiences worldwide.

Enrico Macias Best Songs:
Adieu mon pays
Les gens du Nord
Solenzara
L'Oriental
Paris tu m'as pris dans tes bras
Zingarella
Enfants de tous pays
Le mendiant de l'amour
Melisa
Oh guitare guitare

Enrico Macias Albums:
Un rayon de soleil
Le Violon de mon père
Melisa
Enrico
Suzy
Oranges amères
Voyage d'une mélodie
Venez tous mes amis