Sinead O’Connor, the Irish pop singer who rose to worldwide fame in the 1990s, has died at the age of 56, JEE News reported on Wednesday.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead,” her family said. His family and friends are devastated and have asked for privacy at this difficult time,” JEE News reported.
Born in County Dublin, O’Connor has released 10 albums in her career, from “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” to 2014’s “I’m not Bossy, I’m the Boss”, and She was famous for her covers. “Nothing Compares 2 You” by Prince, released in 1990.
Irish President Michael Higgins said Ireland had lost “one of our greatest and finest musicians, songwriters and performers of recent decades”.
He praised O’Connor’s “fearless commitment to important issues that she brought to public attention, no matter how unpleasant those truths”.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that O’Connor’s “music was loved around the world and her talents were unparalleled and beyond comparison.”
“Condolences to his family, his friends and all who loved his music,” he added.
Instantly recognizable with her trademark shaved head, O’Connor faced controversy throughout her career, frequently speaking out against the Catholic Church.
‘Iconoclast’
Beginning his career roaming the streets of the Irish capital and performing in pubs, he recorded his debut album “The Lion and the Cobra” – a punk cult classic released in 1987 – in London.
The artist said she was abused by his mother as a child, and in 1992 Pope John Paul II performed on the American television program ‘Saturday Night Live’ to protest child abuse by the Catholic Church. The picture of Paul II was torn down.
In recent years O’Connor has combined his outspoken political views with spirituality and was ordained a priest in 1999 amid controversy.
She later converted to Islam, changing his name to Shahada Sadaqat in 2018.
Writing on Twitter, dubbed ‘X’, Canadian singer Bryan Adams wrote: “RIP Sinead O’Connor, I loved taking photos with you, gigging together in Ireland and chatting, you All my love to the family.”
Irish comedian Dara O’Brien said that O’Connor’s death “came as just very sad news. Unfortunate.”
“I hope she realizes how much love there was for him,” she said.
Irish mixed martial arts superstar Conor McGregor commented on the singer’s obituary: “The world has lost an artist with the voice of an angel.
“Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our best by a long shot. And I’ve lost a friend.”
British pop singer Alison Moyet said that O’Connor had a voice that “crushed rock with power”.
“As beautiful as any girl and never traded on that card. I loved that about her. Iconoclast,” he added.
Lead singer of 90s rock band The Charlatans Tim Burgess wrote: “Sinead was the true embodiment of a punk spirit.
“She didn’t compromise and it made his life more of a struggle. I hope he finds peace.”
‘Cultural impact’
Colm O’Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, wrote in reaction to her death, “It is difficult to think of an artist who has had the social and cultural impact of Sinead.”
“What a loss. Heartfelt condolences to his children, his family and all who loved him,” he added.
O’Connor has also spoken publicly about her mental health struggles, telling Oprah Winfrey in 2007 that she struggles with suicidal thoughts and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
More recently, she has been particularly in the spotlight following the suicide death of her son Shane last year at the age of 17.
O’Connor has three children and was reportedly dividing her time between Ireland and the UK before her death.
