Sinead O’Connor death – latest: Tributes pour in for ‘fearless and uncompromising’ Irish singer
Irish musician Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56.
O’Connor’s death was confirmed by her family in a statement provided to BBC News.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” it read. “Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
No cause of death has been disclosed.
The Dublin-born singer-songwriter’s death comes a year after the death by suicide of her 17-year-old son Shane.
Posting on Twitter earlier this month, O’Connor shared a message about her late son, writing: “Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”
Throughout her life, O’Connor was known for her political activism and personal candour, as well as a string of acclaimed albums, including 1992’s Am I Not Your Girl? and 1994’s Universal Mother, both of which were certified gold in the UK.
To many, she was most famed for her hit cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”, written by the musician and producer Prince, which featured on her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.
O’Connor changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 after converting to Islam, but continued to work and perform under her birth name.
Tributes to the artist have already begun pouring in on social media – see below.
Key points
O’Connor’s family confirm news of her death in a statement
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar pays tribute to O’Connor on social media
19:44 , Louis Chilton
Folk musician and protest singer Grace Petrie is among the artists paying tribute.
“Desperately sad news about Sinead O’Connor,” she wrote. “An amazing musician and an incredible voice for justice who deserved far better than the many ways music and media treated her.
“Not sure I have seen an artist take a risk or a stand comparable to the one she took in 1992 on the biggest platform she had ever had. Utterly uncompromising. Rest in power.”
Desperately sad news about Sinead O’Connor. An amazing musician and an incredible voice for justice who deserved far better than the many ways music and media treated her.
— Grace Petrie (@gracepetrie) July 26, 2023
19:39 , Louis Chilton
This is an in depth look at one of O’Connor’s most famous moments, when she tore up a photograph of the Pope on live TV to take a stance against paedophilia in the church.
A brave, singular force in the world of music.
The day Sinéad O’Connor tore up a photo of the Pope on Saturday Night Live
19:35 , Louis Chilton
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has shared a tribute to O’Connor.
“Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare,” wrote the Irish leader.
Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinéad O’Connor.
Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare.
Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music.
Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam. https://t.co/JVHxz7Kv2Z— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) July 26, 2023
19:31 , Louis Chilton
“A trailblazer... Fearless, uncompromising & a superlative talent. Proved to be ahead of her time, again and again.
“Her passing at 56 is a devastating loss.”
Sinead O’Connor was a trailblazer. Fearless, uncompromising & a superlative talent. Proved to be ahead of her time, again & again. Her passing at 56 is a devastating loss.
This snippet from an all-timer of a live rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U perfectly captures her spirit. pic.twitter.com/g84TrBTIwb— Steven (@Steven_Armour) July 26, 2023
19:27 , Louis Chilton
Some deeply moving tributes are already being shared on social media – it’s clear her activism resonated with people just as much as her music.
Absolutely heartbroken to hear of Sinead O’Connor passing today.
Sinead showed huge support for people living with HIV. Here she wears a Dublin AIDS Alliance (now @HIVIreland) tee on the Late Late show in 1990.
A very different Ireland then and now - more so with losing her 🖤 pic.twitter.com/YXAFsRUDH7— Adam Shanley (@Adlers1) July 26, 2023
19:21 , Louis Chilton
The music world has been rocked this evening by the news that Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor has died.
Her family announced in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad.
“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”
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