“Dominique” by Soeur Sourire / The Singing Nun

After being urged by her religious superiors to record an album, then Sister Luc Gabriel (Jeanne-Paule Marie Deckers) scored a massive hit with “Dominique.” From 1963 to 1964 the song found its way to the top ten in over eleven countries, and was the first number one record in the United States to be performed by a Belgian Artist. Nearly overnight, Deckers became an international star and her story was the basis of a biographical film.

In 1966, Deckers left her covenant to pursue life as a lay-person. She was devoted to both the Catholic Church and feminism, and in 1967 she recorded “Glory be to God for the Golden Pill,” a song defending women and contraception.
​
Deckers sold over two million albums, but never benefited financially from her success. After being taken advantage of by both her manager and record label, she opened a school for children with autism and moved into an apartment with her best friend Annie Pécher. Funding for the school ceased, and in March of 1985 both Deckers and Pécher committed suicide, citing financial issues.