Career, biography and origin of Corneille Theunissen

The date of birth of Corneille Theunissen, known by his stage name Corneille, is March 24, 1977.

Corneille Theunissen, known by the stage name Corneille, is a celebrity of Rwandan origin born on March 24, 1977 in Freiburg, Germany. Coming from a cultured and politically engaged Rwandan family, Corneille’s youth was marked by exile and tragedy. Indeed, in 1994, he lost his parents in the Rwandan genocide, which profoundly changed his life. After fleeing Rwanda, he settled with his sister in Quebec, Canada.

 It was there that he began to devote himself to music as a composer and performer. In 2003, Corneille released his first album, entitled “Parce qu’on été de loin”, which enjoyed immediate success. His deep and touching lyrics, mixed with his soulful voice and his passion for music, allowed him to stand out on the international music scene. Since then, Corneille has released several albums, collaborated with many renowned artists and established himself as one of the emblematic figures of French-speaking music. His remarkable career and undeniable talent make him an unmissable celebrity in the world of music.

Corneille Theunissen, known simply by his stage name Corneille, is an accomplished artist and celebrity in the music world. Born in Freiburg, Germany in 1977 to a Rwandan mother and German father, he emigrated with his family to Canada as a young man, where he grew up and developed his passion for music. Corneille has achieved international success thanks to his captivating voice, mastery of languages ​​and ability to fuse different musical genres, including R&B, pop and African-influenced music. His debut in the music industry was marked by his eponymous album “Corneille”, released in 2003, which received a favorable reception and which earned him considerable recognition in Canada and France. The artist is also known for his philanthropic contribution and his commitment to social causes. 

Having survived the 1994 Rwandan genocide, Corneille has used his platform to raise awareness of the horrors of conflict and support victims of trauma. Her song “Because we come from afar” has become an anthem of solidarity and hope, illustrating her talent for connecting personal experiences to universal issues. Over the years, Corneille continued his successful career, releasing several critically acclaimed albums and filling concert halls around the world. His music continues to inspire and reach a diverse audience, showcasing his undeniable talent and desire to leave a positive imprint beyond the notes.

Corneille Theunissen, born March 24, 1977 in Fez, Morocco, is a French-Canadian singer, songwriter and producer of Rwandan origin. Born to Rwandan parents, Corneille experienced the horrors of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, where much of his family was tragically killed. Following these painful events, Corneille immigrated to Canada in search of a new life. He found refuge in Montreal, where he began his musical career. By tracing Corneille’s origins, we discover that his parents were themselves of cultivated and influential Rwandan lineage. His father was a diplomat and senior civil servant in Rwanda, while his mother was a renowned teacher and writer.

 Corneille is also the grandson of former Rwandan Prime Minister Grégoire Kayibanda. This genealogy illustrates the fame and historical importance of Corneille’s family in the political and cultural context of Rwanda. Additionally, after settling in Canada, Corneille met and married his wife, Sofia de Medeiros, a French-Cape Verdean singer of Portuguese origin. Together they have two children, Milan and Claudio. This new generation mixes Rwandan, French, Cape Verdean and Portuguese origins, bringing a rich and varied cultural heritage to Corneille’s children. In short, the genealogy of the celebrity Corneille Theunissen testifies to the impact of his Rwandan origins, his immigration journey to Canada and his meeting with his wife, thus creating a multicultural family heritage which enriches his artistic identity.