Sinéad O’Connor, 56, has died 18 months after her son's tragic death

26 July 2023 , 17:40

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Sinéad O’Connor, 56, has died 18 months after her son's tragic death

Sinéad O’Connor has died at the age of 56, her family announced this evening.

The Grammy-winning Irish singer was propelled to international stardom in 1990 with her ballad Nothing Compares 2 U. Her musical talent aside, over the years she became well-known for being outspoken about her social and political views, including making headlines in 1992 when she tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on US TV show Saturday Night Live.

The Irish singer, whose cause of death is not yet known, is survived by three children. Her son Shane passed away last year at the age of 17 after leaving hospital while on suicide watch.

In her final social media post, Sinead tweeted a picture of her late son and wrote: "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.”

A documentary filmed weeks before Sinead's death is set to air this weekend, with the late star opening up about past struggles in her final interview.

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In a statement, the singer’s family said: "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."

Sinead O'Connor at the Grammy Awards in February 1989 (Ron Galella Collection via Getty)

The Irish singer performing at Madison Square Garden in 1992 (AFP/Getty Images)

As reports of Sinead's death broke, fans and stars took to social media to remember the talented artist and pay tribute to her legacy. Dara O'Briain told his Twitter followers: "Ah sh**e, Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her."

"Sinead was the true embodiment of a punk spirit. She did not compromise and that made her life more of a struggle. Hoping that she has found peace," The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess penned on Twitter.

"I adored this woman from afar as a teenager. I will always admire her," began Muriel's Wedding actress Toni Collette's tribute post. "I was lucky enough to hang out with her a few times in my twenties. On one occasion we all sang in the hills of Wicklow in Eire."

Toni continued: "I sang a Jane Siberry song and Sinead then asked/encouraged me to sing one of my own. Can you imagine the terror? The intimidation? The thrill?! She was so talented, so generous, humble, resilient, courageous and true. What a voice. What a force. My heart breaks. Rest in real peace Sinead."

Singer and photographer Bryan Adams shared an image he had taken of the late singer, adding: "RIP Sinead O’Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family."

Former X Factor stars Jedward tweeted: "Rest in Peace Sinead O’Connor very sad to hear the news Irish True Irish Icon of our Generation! We only just met her this year and she was in good spirits, a very welcoming person with a big heart."

Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar also shared his condolences with O'Connor's family and friends on Twitter, adding "Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare" before signing off with the Irish phrase for Rest In Peace, "Ar dheis De go Raibh a hAnam."

Born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Dublin on 8 December 1966, O’Connor rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a new arrangement of Prince's song "Nothing Compares 2 U".

After her parents divorced when she was eight, O’Connor claimed she was physically abused - detailed in her song "Fire on Babylon" - and she has consistently advocated on behalf of abused children.

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Her interest in music began in 1979, when at the age of 15 her shoplifting and truancy issues led to her being placed in a Magdalene Asylum, for 18 months. It was here she started to develop her writing and music and was subsequently “discovered” by the drummer of popular Irish band Tua Nua, where she went on to co-write their song Take My Hand.

In 1985 while performing in a band called Ton Ton Macoute she left and moved to London where she was signed to Ensign records.

At the age of 20, while recording her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, she became pregnant by her session drummer John Reynolds.They had a son, Jake, and married in 1987.

Her first album was hailed "a sensation", reaching gold record status and earning O’Connor a Grammy nomination. Upon the release of her second album – 1990's I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got – she had formed the identity with which we’ve come to associate her - in particular, her trademark shaved head.

The world is mourning the loss of the formidable and inspiring singer (Getty Images)

Initially an assertion against traditional views of women, after she began to grow it back, but shaved it off again after she was compared to singer Enya.
She said: "I don't feel like me unless I have my hair shaved. So even when I'm an old lady, I'm going to have it."

The album contained the breakthrough hit "Nothing Compares 2 U" that saw her reach superstar status. It was an obscure piece obscure piece originally written by Prince for his side project, The Family.

In Ireland it went on to become the eighth most successful single of the 90s, characterised by its artsy filmclip.
It received worldwide recognition and earned O’Connor several Grammy nominations - she eventually won the 1991 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Performance, but boycotted the awards. She was also named Artist of the Year in 1991 by Rolling Stone magazine.

She was nominated for another two Grammy Awards for her release Universal Mother (1994) and also toured with Lollapalooza in 1995. However, she dropped out when she became pregnant to Irish journalist John Waters. She gave birth to second child, a daughter, named Roisin.

Sinead in the Nothing Compares 2 U music video

In the late 90s O’Connor was ordained as a priest and wished to be called Mother Bernadette Mary. Directly after releasing her 2003 double album She who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty, she announced her retirement from music.

As we now know, her retirement was short lived and she returned to the industry, albeit going in a different direction with her sound - releasing a Reggae album in 2005, after she spent time in Jamaica in 2004.

Her mental health issues began to come to light when, in 2007, she disclosed on The Oprah Winfrey Show, that she’d been diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years earlier, and had attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday in 1999. Then, in 2012 O'Connor announced on her website that she was "very unwell" having suffered a breakdown towards the end of 2011. However in 2014, she said she was not in fact bipolar and would later blame her mental state on the lack of hormone-replacement therapy following a hysterectomy.

Aside from her music, O’Connor used her voice to raise awareness for charities, issues and causes throughout her career. however, the singer was at the centre of many controversies during her long career. Most notably, in 1992, she used a performance on Saturday Night Live to protest child abuse, ripping a picture of Pope John Paul II while singing the word “evil”.

Sinead will be remembered as an era-defining artist and iconic singer (FilmMagic)

Stars from the world of music, sport and politics have been paying tribute (WireImage)

In January 2022, Sinead O'Connor shared the heartbreaking news that her teenage son has passed away.

Confirming the devastating tragedy on Twitter, the 56-year-old musician paid tribute to her 17 year-old son Shane O'Connor - calling her late child the "light of [her] life".

Shane's sad passing came just days after a police search - and a desperate plea from his doting mum - began, following the teenager's disappearance being reported earlier that week.

"May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace," a devastated Sinead wrote within her moving online tribute to her late son - whom she shared with musician Donal Lunny.

Opening his TalkTV show this evening, Piers Morgan began telling viewers: "“We start the show with some very sad breaking news. Irish music legend Sinead O’Connor has died at the age of just 56. She was a troubled and beautiful soul. Fearless, uncompromising, shocking, courageous. She was a rebel at heart.

"She took on the Catholic Church. She used a primetime performance on US TV to stage a protest, even as everybody told her it could ruin her career. Above all else, she enchanted millions with a song that’s known across the world and across the generations. Few people can truly say their voice defined an era. But Sinead’s did. Put simply, nothing compared to Sinead O’Connor."

After playing an extract of her hit Nothing Compares 2 U, he continued: "And millions of people across the world will share that sentiment. Sinead, of course, led a very turbulent life. She always said that her rebellious streak was driven by the abuse she'd suffered as a child and that music rescued her. It certainly unleashed a creative talent that made her world famous.

Sinead and her late son Shane

"She struggled with her mental health for many years and talked very openly and powerfully about that. And tragically she lost her 17-year-old son Shane to suicide just 18 months ago. I had a number of exchanges with Sinead over the years and interviews. They were most certainly uncensored."

He went on to add: "She was a unique talent and a unique character. She spoke her mind. I always felt it was sincere. I had some great run-ins with her, where she would tear into me and the next thing would be drinking Guinness and she would be smothering me in kisses and love.

"She was like that, she was a contrarian figure. I think she liked rattling cages and she liked telling you what she really thought of you, whether it was good or bad. I feel very sad about this news."

President Michael D Higgins praised Sinead's beautiful, unique voice" and her "fearless commitment to the important issues which she brought to public attention, no matter how uncomfortable those truths may have been".

“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,” he added in a statement.

“The way in which she was able to move across the different forms of the arts was a singular achievement, as was the way her voice went around the world and how it was received.”

Mr Higgins continued: “Sinead O’Connor’s voice and delivery was in so many different ways original, extraordinary and left one with a deep impression that to have accomplished all she did while carrying the burden which she did was a powerful achievement in its own way.

“Her contribution joins those great achievements of Irish women who contributed to our lives, its culture and its history in their own unique but unforgettable ways.

“May her spirit find the peace she sought in so many different ways.”

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Zoe Delaney