1963, Music: “Dominique” (The Singing Nun, Sœur Sourire)

"Dominique", a French song by Sœur Sourire (Sister Smile, born Jeanine Deckers), reached the top ten in eleven countries in late 1963 and early 1964, topping the hit lists in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. It reached the Top 5 in Norway, Denmark, Ireland, Australia and South Africa, with the song making it into the lower reaches of the Top 10 in the Netherlands, West Germany and the United Kingdom.

Sœur Sourire was a Belgian nun, and a member (as Sister Luc-Gabrielle) of the Dominican Fichermont Convent in Belgium. The song "Dominique" is about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-born priest and founder of the Dominican Order. "Dominique" outsold Elvis during its stay on the Billboard Pop Charts in 1963 and to this day it is still the only Belgian number one hit single in the American Billboard charts.

Sister Luc-Gabrielle

Jeanine Deckers never again reached the same success and continued to lead a colourful, but tragic life. She and her long-time friend, Annie Pescher, both committed suicide in 1985, as a result of financial and tax problems.

Sister Luc-Gabrielle at the Dominican Fichermont Convent in Belgium

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