Jewel (Jewel Kilcher, born May 23, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter who grew up in Alaska, on the Kilcher family homestead and near Homer. Her 1995 debut album Pieces of You sold over 12 million copies in the United States.[1]
| Born | May 23, 1974, Payson, Utah |
|---|---|
| Alaska upbringing | Anchorage, then near Homer |
| Debut album | Pieces of You, 1995 |
| US sales of debut | Over 12 million |
| Worldwide album sales | Over 30 million (2024) |
| Grammy nominations | Four |
Alaska upbringing
Shortly after her birth in Payson, Utah, her family moved to Anchorage and settled on the Kilcher family’s 770-acre homestead. After her parents divorced in 1981 she lived with her father near Homer in a house without indoor plumbing. With her father she performed as a duo in roadhouses and taverns and sang at Anchorage hotels, and she learned to yodel from him.[1]
Early training
At fifteen she received a partial scholarship to the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan to study operatic voice, and Homer businesses raised $11,000 to cover the rest of her first year’s tuition.[1]
Career
Pieces of You was released in 1995 on Atlantic Records, when she was 21. It produced three Top 10 hits, “Who Will Save Your Soul”, “You Were Meant for Me” and “Foolish Games”, peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200, stayed on the chart for two years and is certified 12 times platinum. She has sold over 30 million albums worldwide as of 2024 and has four Grammy nominations, in 1997 and 1998 and for “Satisfied” in 2011.[1]
FAQs
Where did Jewel grow up? In Alaska, in Anchorage and near Homer.
What was her debut album? Pieces of You, released in 1995.
How many Grammy nominations does she have? Four.
Sources
Key facts
- Raised near Homer
- 12x platinum debut
Quick checkWhat was Jewel’s debut album?Show answer
Pieces of You (1995)
Sources
- Wikiwand. Jewel Kilcher. 2026 (accessed 2026-11-14)
Editorially reviewed by Specialty Digest Editorial TeamLast reviewed November 14, 2026Researched and drafted with AI assistanceReport an issue