Patti Smith on how she tracked down true identity of her biological father

Patti Smith Reveals Search for Biological Father in New Memoir

Patti Smith is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of her debut album Horses. Earlier this week, she released her new memoir, Bread of Angels, which has been over a decade in the making.

Insights from Bread of Angels

The memoir offers a deep look into Smith’s life, from her working-class upbringing in Philadelphia and South Jersey to her eventual retreat from public attention. In the book, she shares a crucial family revelation that unfolded over several years.

“In 2002, during a phone call, my mother said she had ‘a story’ about genetics for me,” Smith recalls.

When Smith tried to discuss it further during a visit while her mother was hospitalized after a fall, she was met with silence, a blank stare that left the topic unresolved at the time.

Discovering Her True Paternity

Years later, in 2012, Smith and her sister Linda took a DNA test which revealed a surprising truth: they were actually half-sisters and did not share the same father, Grant Smith.

Smith explains in the memoir that this discovery shed new light on her family history and identity.

Memoir Release Details

From the official Bloomsbury Books UK tweet about the memoir: “Bread of Angels takes us through her childhood and teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold.”

The memoir enriches our understanding of Patti Smith beyond her public persona, revealing the personal struggles and discoveries that shaped her.

Author's Summary

Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels traces her journey to uncover her true father, offering an honest and intimate portrait of family, identity, and resilience.

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NME NME — 2025-11-08

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