Brel was born in Schaerbeek, Belgium, a district of Brussels, but lived most of his life in Paris.
Brel's father was co-owner of a cardboard factory and Brel started his professional life at that firm, apparently destined to follow in his father's footsteps.
Brel died of lung cancer and was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Atuona, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia only a few yards away from painter Paul Gauguin.
Jacques Romain Georges Brel was born in Belgium, in Schaerbeek, a suburb of Brussels, on April, 8 1929.
Brel's close friends, including Charles Aznavour, begged him to reconsider his decision and continue his singing career but Brel was adamant that his singing days were over.
Brel returned to Brussels twice in the course of 1976 for medical examinations, but, ignoring the doctors' advice he returned to the Marquesas, in spite of the fact that the tropical climate was most unsuitable for his lungs.
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