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Early Life
Justin Drew Bieber was born
on March 1, 1994 in London,
Ontario, Canada, at St Joseph’s
Hospital. Pattie Mallette, as a
young single mother who at
just 17 had become pregnant,
raised Justin in Stratford, Ontario.
Justin’s parents had never been
married and separated while he
was only a baby. Justin’s father
Jeremy Bieber went on to marry
another woman and had two
children: Jaxon and Jazmyn.
Justin had a very modest
upbringing, with his mother
working a series of low-paying
office jobs and living in low-
income housing. When times
got really tough, Justin and
his mother moved in with her
parents Bruce and Diane who
offered help and support to the
young family.
Justin was an active youth
who enjoyed spending his time
playing soccer and chess. He
was bullied as a youngster
because he was short so his
grandfather Bruce inspired
and encouraged him to play
ice hockey; although small,
Justin was nimble and the
experience of playing ice hockey
gave him a fighting spirit.
His love for music began at
an early age when, at just four
years old, he was given a drum
kit. Even when he was a toddler,
Justin’s mom recalls how he
would “tap and bang” anything
to make simple rhythms and
she encouraged Justin to play.
With tips from the local church,
and youthful determination, he
enthusiastically taught himself
how to master the drums. His
dedication continued when, at
eight years old, he started to play
guitar. His creative ambition drove
him to pick up an instrument that
his mother had at home. Being
left handed, this presented a
new challenge when he realized
he would need a left-handed
guitar but, as soon as this was
resolved, Justin was well on his
way to accompanying himself.
LEFT:
Justin with his
mother Pattie Mallette.
BELOW:
Justin Bieber’s
grandfather, Bruce Dale.
“I didn’t have a real
bed. I slept on a
blue pullout couch
in my room.”
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