Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who rose to fame in the 1990s, has died at age 56.
Her family announced the news of her death in a statement overnight that said they were devastated at the loss.
“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,” the statement said.
O’Connor’s death comes just 18 months after her 17-year-old son, Shane, died. In one of her final posts to social media, O’Connor paid tribute to Shane, writing: “the love of my life, the lamp of my soul, we were one soul in two halves”.
O’Connor is most well known for her single Nothing Compares 2 U, a Prince cover that reached No. 1 on the music charts and turned her into an international star. The music video for the iconic song has been viewed more than 400 million times on YouTube.
The singer will also be remembered for her outspoken social commentary and activism, particularly her criticism of the Catholic Church and views on feminism, sex and religion.
In 1992, O’Connor shocked audiences when she appeared on Saturday Night Live, and tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II at the end of her performance to protest child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. She looked directly at the camera afterwards and said “fight the real enemy”. Her actions came long before child sex abuse allegations against the Church had entered the mainstream.
Her protest resulted in her being banned by the American broadcaster NBC and there were protests against her in the United States.
In 2021, she addressed her decision to tear up the photograph of the Pope, saying: “I’m not sorry I did it. It was brilliant”.
After the news of her death, Irish President Michael D Higgins said: “What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her.”
Born in 1966, O’Connor had a troubled childhood and as a teenager was placed in Dublin’s An Grianan Training Centre. She also later detailed abuse she said she suffered at the hands of her mother, who died in a car accident in 1985.
O’Connor converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat. She continued to perform under the name Sinéad O’Connor.
On social media, Billy Bragg wrote that O’Connor was “braver than brave. May she rest in peace.”
Bryan Adams wrote: “RIP Sinéad O’Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family.”
Yusuf/ Cat Stevens wrote: “Sad to hear of the passing of sister Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinéad O’Connor. She was a tender soul, may God, Most Merciful, grant her everlasting peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon – Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return. 2:156”