The 1973 cover of Paper Roses, recorded by Marie Osmond at age 14, established her as the youngest female artist to reach the top of the United States country music charts. This early success launched a multifaceted career spanning recording, television hosting, Broadway theatre performance, and business ventures across several decades of American entertainment.
Early Life and Family Background
Born on October 13, 1959, in Ogden, Utah, Olive Marie Osmond was the eighth of nine children born to Olive May and George Virl Osmond. Raised within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she grew up surrounded by music as her brothers performed professionally. Her initial televised appearance occurred in 1964 on The Andy Williams Show at age four. She later recalled that music was a constant presence in her household, with siblings frequently singing and harmonizing together.
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In the early 1970s, Osmond sought to establish a solo identity in country music, believing the genre better accommodated a balance between career and family. After recording a demo tape, she signed with the Nashville division of MGM Records. Her debut single, Paper Roses, reached number one on the US country charts in 1973. Throughout the decade, she released several albums and singles, including In My Little Corner of the World and Who's Sorry Now, which achieved success in both country and pop markets.
Collaborations and Television
Collaborative work with her brother Donny Osmond began in 1974 with the song I'm Leaving It All Up to You. The duo achieved significant commercial success, leading to their own network variety program, Donny & Marie, which aired from 1976 through 1979. Their partnership continued decades later with a residency at the Flamingo hotel in Las Vegas spanning 2008 to 2019. Outside of her musical work, Osmond appeared on The Talk as a co-host and participated in various television projects.
Stage and Business Interests
Osmond expanded her professional repertoire into Broadway, debuting in The King and I in 1994. Beyond performance, she entered the retail sector in the 1990s by launching a collection of dolls sold through the QVC network. Her literary contributions include Behind the Smile: My Journey Out of Postpartum Depression, in which she discussed her personal challenges. Additionally, she was a founder of the Children's Miracle Network.
Fast facts
- Born: 13 October 1959, Ogden
- Debut single: Paper Roses, 1973
- Collaborative variety show: Donny & Marie
- Broadway debut: The King and I, 1994
- Education: American School of Correspondence
- Las Vegas residency: Flamingo, 2008–2019
- Co-founder: Children's Miracle Network
Questions readers ask
Did Marie Osmond have number-one country hits?
Yes, she recorded four songs that reached number one on the US Hot Country Songs chart.
What is Marie Osmond's educational background?
She was educated at the American School of Correspondence.
Achievements
- Performed from childhood in the Osmond family
- Country and pop hit 'Paper Roses' at age 13 (1973)
- Co-hosted 'Donny & Marie'
- Co-founded Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
