Roch Voisine: Biography, Hockey, and His Hit Hélène

Some songs define a career so completely that they become inseparable from the artist: for Canadian singer Roch Voisine, that song is “Hélène,” a ballad that topped the French charts for nine weeks in 1989 and sold over one million copies in France alone (Roch Voisine Official Site (artist biography)). But his story also includes a junior hockey career, a pivot to music after an injury, two children, and a divorce.

Born: March 26, 1963 ·
Record sales: Over 15 million worldwide ·
Biggest hit: Hélène (1989) ·
Residence: Montreal, Quebec

The table below provides a concise overview of Roch Voisine’s personal and career details.

What was Roch Voisine’s biggest hit?

The story behind ‘Hélène’

Released in June 1989 on his self-titled debut album, “Hélène” was an instant phenomenon. The song tells a story of unrequited love and quickly resonated with audiences across Quebec and France. Voisine has said that the melody came to him during a road trip and that he wrote the lyrics in a single evening (MusiFlo (music blog)).

Commercial success and chart performance

Three weeks after its release in France, “Hélène” reached number one on the French singles chart and stayed there for nine consecutive weeks (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)). The single and album together sold more than one million copies in France alone (Apple Music (digital streaming)). Some sources report the album reached three million copies across all territories, though this figure is not independently confirmed (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Legacy of the song

In 1990, “Hélène” won the Victoire award for Francophone Album of the Year (MusiFlo (music blog)). The track continues to be a staple of French-language pop compilations and is regularly performed at Voisine’s concerts. The 35th anniversary in 2024 was marked by special performances at venues such as Place des Arts in Montreal.

The implication: Hélène remains the cornerstone of Voisine’s live shows and legacy.

Did Roch Voisine play hockey?

Early hockey career

Before music, Voisine was a promising ice hockey player. He played for the Quebec Remparts in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (Place des Arts (arts venue)) and later suited up for the Sherbrooke Canadiens. He also played university hockey with the Ottawa Gee-Gees while studying at the University of Ottawa (The Soundtrack of Quebec (YouTube documentary)).

Decision to pursue music

His hockey aspirations ended after a knee injury suffered during a baseball game in 1981 (Place des Arts (arts venue)). The injury forced him to reconsider his future, and he turned to music — a move that would define his life. He still occasionally participates in charity hockey events and remains a visible supporter of the sport.

The catch: Voisine’s hockey history adds a layer of authenticity to his public persona, bridging two distinctly Canadian passions.

Is Roch Voisine still married?

Marriage to Myriam Brousseau

Roch Voisine married Myriam Saint-Jean (known professionally as Myriam Brousseau) on December 21, 2002 (The Coast 89.7 FM (radio profile)). The couple had two sons: Killian (born June 25, 2004) and Alix-Élouan (born January 9, 2006) — these dates are sourced from IMDb, though the boys’ names are confirmed through the official site.

Separation and divorce

The pair separated in 2014 and their divorce was finalized by 2015. Since then, Voisine has not remarried and keeps his personal life relatively private. He currently resides in Montreal and is often seen attending events solo.

Where does Roch Voisine live now?

Primary residence in Montreal

Voisine’s home base is Montreal, Quebec, where he has lived for many years. He maintains a low-profile lifestyle in the city, though he frequently travels for tours and television appearances.

Other properties

He has also owned a home in the Laurentians region, a popular vacation area north of Montreal. During his marriage, the family split time between Montreal and the Laurentians.

What is Roch Voisine’s net worth?

Estimated wealth from music career

Roch Voisine’s net worth is not publicly disclosed. Industry estimates typically range from $5 million to $10 million CAD (IMDb, celebrity biography). His primary income sources are album sales, touring, and television hosting.

TV and hosting income

Beyond music, Voisine has hosted Quebec television shows such as “La Voix” (the local version of The Voice) and worked as a radio host in Montreal. These roles have added to his earnings and kept him in the public eye.

The pattern: Voisine’s wealth is tied to his touring and television presence, not just past record sales.

Timeline

• 1963 – Born in Edmundston, New Brunswick. (Roch Voisine Official Site)
• 1980–1983 – Plays junior hockey for Sherbrooke Canadiens. (Place des Arts)
• 1985 – Releases first independent album. (Roch Voisine Official Site)
• 1989 – Release of self-titled album featuring “Hélène”. (Roch Voisine Official Site)
• 1990 – Wins Juno Award for Best Male Vocalist. (Wikipedia)
• 2003 – Marries Myriam Brousseau. (The Coast 89.7 FM)
• 2014 – Separates from Myriam Brousseau. (The Coast 89.7 FM)
• 2015 – Divorce finalized. (The Coast 89.7 FM)
• 2024 – Celebrates 35th anniversary of “Hélène” with special performances. (Place des Arts)

This timeline shows how Voisine’s personal and professional milestones intertwine.

Quotes

“More than three decades later, Hélène remains Voisine’s most requested song.”

— Place des Arts event description (Place des Arts (arts venue))

“Voisine’s transition from hockey to music was unusual but authentic.”

— The Coast 89.7 FM radio profile (The Coast 89.7 FM (radio profile))

Roch Voisine’s career is a rare fusion of athletic grit and pop sensibility. For Canadian audiences, his story reinforces the idea that a single hit can carry a decades-long career — but only when paired with genuine talent and hard work. For the singer himself, the implication is clear: keep performing “Hélène” with the same passion that made it a phenomenon, or risk fading into nostalgia.

Frequently asked questions