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Patti Smith’s New Memoir Identifies Her Biological Father After DNA Search Led by Reunited Daughter

She says she disclosed the finding to preserve the book’s truthfulness.

Overview

  • Bread of Angels was published Nov. 4 by Random House, revealing personal family history alongside career-spanning reflections.
  • A 2012 DNA test showed Smith and her sister were half-siblings, and a later autosomal test indicated her paternal line was 100% Ashkenazi.
  • Her reunited daughter helped trace her father to Sidney, a Jewish pilot who died in 1965, after locating a photograph and connecting with relatives.
  • Smith paused work on the memoir for about two years before deciding to include the discovery to acknowledge him and maintain an honest record.
  • She protects her daughter’s privacy and told CBS News she never saw the revelation coming.