Sinead O’Connor, the Irish music legend, has passed away at the age of 56 after battling with mental health issues for several years.
In a statement, the singer’s family announced, “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.”
Her sudden death comes one year after her son Shane, aged 17, sadly took his own life in January 2022 while under suicide watch after escaping from the hospital.
At the time of her passing, the musician, who changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat in 2018 when she converted to Islam, was splitting her time between Co Roscommon, Ireland, and London.
In her last Tweet, O’Connor posted a photo of Shane and said: ‘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.’
The mother-of-four also shared Spotify links to poignant songs, including one dedicated to ‘all mothers of Suicided children’.
O’Connor rose to fame in 1990 with her No. 1 hit “Nothing Compares 2 U,” written and composed by Prince. She had released 10 albums, with the most recent being 2014’s I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss.
Despite the song’s nomination for four Grammy Awards in 1991, she boycotted the ceremony, criticizing the Academy’s focus on commercialism in art.
Two years after her breakout success, O’Connor made headlines with a polarizing appearance on Saturday Night Live, where she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II and urged the audience to “Fight the real enemy” after performing “War” by Bob Marley.
This moment brought considerable backlash, but O’Connor later expressed no regrets, stating that it reoriented her career trajectory.
Sinead O’Connor is survived by her three children. Her son Shane, aged 17, passed away last year.
