The family of the late artist expressed deep sorrow while sharing the news of her passing. The specific cause of death has not been disclosed to the public.
She gained widespread fame through her iconic single “Nothing Compares 2 U,” released in 1990, which topped the charts and made her a global sensation.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, praised her music, which resonated with people worldwide, and acknowledged her unparalleled talent.
Irish President Michael D Higgins lauded O’Connor for her genuineness and her distinct, beautiful voice. He also highlighted her remarkable role as a composer, songwriter, and performer, making her loss a significant one for Ireland. He emphasized her special connection with the audience, who held deep affection and admiration for her.
Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor, born in December 1966 in Glenageary, County Dublin, had a challenging upbringing. During her teenage years, she was placed in the An Grianan Training Centre in Dublin, known for its connection to the Magdalene laundries that were originally meant to house young girls considered morally at risk. However, her life took a turn when a compassionate nun provided her with a guitar and arranged for music lessons, which marked the beginning of her musical journey.
Sinead O’Connor gained widespread recognition with the release of her debut album, The Lion And The Cobra, in 1987, receiving high praise from critics. The album achieved success by entering the top 40 charts in both the UK and the US. Following this triumph, she went on to release her next album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, which included the iconic song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” originally written by Prince. This heartfelt track resonated with audiences worldwide, reaching number one in various countries, including the US and the UK.
Sinead O’Connor, known for her strong social and political views, produced a total of 10 studio albums spanning from 1987 to 2014.
In 1991, Rolling Stone magazine honored her as the artist of the year, and she also received the Brit Award for international female solo artist.
The defining moment of her career occurred in the following year during an appearance on the US TV show Saturday Night Live. During her performance of Bob Marley’s War, she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II as a protest against child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Sinead then urged viewers to “fight the real enemy.”
This action led to NBC banning her for life and sparked protests against her in the US, with copies of her records being destroyed in Times Square, New York.
When asked about the incident in a 2021 interview with the New York Times, she expressed no remorse, stating, “I’m not sorry I did it. It was brilliant.”
Her final studio album, titled “I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss,” was released in 2014.
In 2018, the Dublin singer converted to Islam and adopted the name Shuhada’ Sadaqat, though she continued to perform using her birth name. In 2021, she published a memoir titled “Rememberings.”
Tragedy struck in January 2022 when her 17-year-old son, Shane, was found dead after being reported missing for two days. In the aftermath of this heartbreaking loss, she shared on social media that Shane had “chosen to end his earthly struggle” and urged others not to follow his path.
The devastating loss of her son took a toll on her, and she decided to cancel all live performances for the remainder of 2022 due to her ongoing grief.
In a touching tribute on Twitter, she referred to Shane as “the love of my life, the lamp of my soul, we were one soul in two halves.”