Patti Smith’s Journey to Discovering Her Biological Father’s True Identity

How Patti Smith uncovered her real roots and embraced a new family truth in her memoir.

There’s something deeply captivating about unearthing family secrets, especially when you’re Patti Smith—the punk poet laureate whose life has always been a tapestry of raw emotion and fearless art. In her new memoir Bread of Angels, Smith reveals the heartfelt and surprising story of how she uncovered the true identity of her biological father, a discovery that reshaped her understanding of family and self.

Unveiling the Past: Patti’s Memoir Bread of Angels

Smith’s memoir, Bread of Angels, released in early November 2025, is the culmination of over a decade of reflection. It strips back the layers of her life, from her working-class upbringing in Philadelphia and South Jersey to her retreat from public life. This book was not just about reliving the past—it was about confronting it candidly.

At the heart of the memoir lies a personal revelation: a decades-old secret about her biological father. In a 2002 phone call, Smith’s mother hinted she had “a story” about genetics. Later, when Smith tried to revisit the subject during a hospital visit after her mother’s fall, she was met with silence—a blank stare that kept the secret locked away.

"Bread of Angels takes us through her childhood and teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold." —Bloomsbury Books UK tweet from August 2025

The DNA Test That Changed Everything

Fast forward to 2012, where modern technology met family mystery: Smith and her sister Linda took a DNA test. The results rocked their world—they were only half-sisters. Grant Smith, the man Patti had always known as her father, wasn’t her biological dad.

Smith reflected, “The results of our test put a great strain on my thought processes and for some time, I was unable to write.” Imagine the turmoil of suddenly questioning your most fundamental identity.

This emotional upheaval could have been an ending, but for Smith, it sparked a search.

Finding Sidney: A Father Revealed

Guided by the love and support of her daughter—whom Smith had put up for adoption at age 20 but reconnected with years later—she tracked down a photograph of Sidney, her biological father. The image was bittersweet; Sidney had died young, and his widow had also passed away before Smith uncovered the truth.

“I knew he was my father before I saw his face,” Smith wrote, a testament to the unbreakable bond that goes beyond blood and pictures.

In an interview, Smith shared her inner conflict: “I wasn’t sure what to do with this information, because I wanted the book I was writing to be very truthful, and all of a sudden, I had a parallel truth. And I felt if I didn’t write about it, then it felt like truth was compromised.”

Honoring a Forgotten Father

One of the most touching parts of Smith’s story was her desire to honor Sidney, a man who had faded into obscurity. “He’s also someone that was barely remembered. He had no children. His surrounding family was small, and he’s not someone that would be remembered pretty much by anyone. So I wanted to rectify that,” she explained.

Despite sorrow over not being Grant’s biological daughter and only sharing Linda as a half-sister, Smith came to a profound realization: “It doesn’t matter. Our love for each other, my love for my father, eclipses blood, and my love for my sister eclipses blood.” In true Patti fashion, love and connection transcend biology.

Celebrating a Legacy: 50 Years of Horses

While navigating her personal revelations, Smith continues to celebrate her monumental career. In 2025, she marked the 50th anniversary of her debut album, Horses—a record that remains a punk poetry masterpiece.

Last month, Smith shared a magical moment on stage with Johnny Depp at the London Palladium, performing her iconic anthem “People Have The Power.” The current tour is bringing this legendary sound across the US, reminding fans of her enduring influence.

Horses was famously ranked as the 12th greatest album of all time, a nod to Smith's raw and poetic impact in the music world.

A Memoir Worth Reading

Bread of Angels isn’t just a memoir; it’s a journey through identity, love, and the complexities of family. Patti Smith’s ability to transform personal discovery into art is what makes her story resonate with so many.

Have you ever had a moment where family secrets changed everything? How do you think discovering new truths shapes our identity?

FAQ

• How did Patti Smith discover her biological father?
  Through a DNA test taken with her sister Linda in 2012, which revealed they were half-sisters, prompting further investigation and discovery of her biological father’s identity.
• Who is Sidney in relation to Patti Smith?
  Sidney is Patti Smith’s biological father, whom she discovered later in life through a photo and family research.
• What is the memoir Bread of Angels about?
  It covers Patti Smith’s life, from her working-class upbringing to her artistic career and the personal journey of uncovering family secrets.
• How did Patti Smith feel about discovering she was not Grant Smith’s biological daughter?
  She felt sadness but ultimately concluded that love transcends biology, affirming the bonds with her sister and family.
• What anniversary did Patti Smith celebrate recently?
  She celebrated the 50th anniversary of her debut album Horses in 2025.

If you’re inspired by Patti Smith’s powerful story and timeless music, consider bringing a piece of her legacy into your home. Shop your favorite album cover posters and celebrate iconic artists at Architeg Prints—a perfect tribute to the music that shapes our lives.