Sinéad O’Connor has died.
The Nothing Compares 2 U hitmaker passed away at the age of 56, her family confirmed in a statement. Details surrounding her passing have yet to be revealed.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” they shared. “Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
Throughout her career, the singer-songwriter released 10 studio albums including the global No. 1, ‘I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got’ (1990), and also scored hits like The Emperor’s New Clothes, Success Has Made a Failure of Our Home and Mandinka.
In 1991, she won the BRIT Award for International Female Solo Artist and was nominated for four Grammys, of which she won Best Alternative Music Performance for her seminal second album.
The previous year, Billboard named the Prince-penned Nothing Compares 2 U the No.1 World Single.
At the height of her success, the vocalist sparked controversy when she tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on ‘Saturday Night Live’ during a performance of Bob Marley’s War as a protest against sexual abuse of children in the Catholic Church.
Born in Dublin on December 8, 1966, O’Connor spoke openly about her struggles with mental health issues, which she attributed to physical and sexual abuse she experienced from her mother as a child.
Aged 15, she was placed in the Grianán Training Centre; a corrective school where one of the nuns spotted her musical talent and encouraged her to take guitar lessons, instigating her musical journey.
Later forming the band Ton Ton Macoute with Colm Farrelly, she soon attracted the attention of the global music industry and signed with Ensign Records, scoring minor success with her debut LP, ‘The Lion and the Cobra’ (1987), before receiving international acclaim with its follow-up.
O’Connor changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 when she converted to Islam and released her most recent album, ‘I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss’, in 2014. A follow-up, ‘No Veteran Dies Alone’, was announced in 2021 but remains unreleased.
Last year, she was the subject of the Showtime film, ‘Nothing Compares’.
At the time of her death, the musician was believed to be spending her time between Co Roscommon, Ireland, and London. She is survived by her three children. Her son, Shane, died last year aged 17.
