All grown up, beautiful songbird Margaret LeAnn Rimes (1982–) was born on this day in Jackson, Mississippi, and grew up in Dallas. A child star with a passionate voice beyond her years, she cut her first demo at age 11.

Rimes' 1996 album Blue debuted at No. 3 on the pop charts. With a powerful voice compared to country legend Patsy Cline, Rimes' megahit song How Do I Live was one of the longest-running singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Of her musical impact, she said, “I'm bringing traditional country to my generation and to the younger kids; I'm also bringing it back to a generation that's heard it all their life. So it's music for everyone.”

She made history in 1997 when You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs debuted at No. 1 on the country, pop, and contemporary Christian charts. The album included rousing a cappella versions of Amazing Grace and the National Anthem.

With tumultuous legal battles with her management behind her, Rimes soared to greater musical heights. Her eighth studio album, Twisted Angel (2002), explored rock, jazz, rap, and R&B. Though some critics bemoaned her crossover from country, she may rock, but the twang remains.

“I never expected it to always be easy. I'm skeptical by nature, so even when things were going great, I kept telling people that it wouldn't last,” she once said. “My fans are still there, and that's what matters.”

“When you start out as young as I did and people make such a big deal of your age, you enjoy getting older,” she said. “And with age comes wisdom. I think I'm getting wiser. At least I hope so!”