It was announced that Irish singer, songwriter and activist Sinéad O'Connor has died. 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 request privacy at this very difficult time." She was best known for her rendition of the Prince-penned song ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, which reached number one worldwide following its release in 1990. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar paid tribute to her, saying her music "was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare".
Irish President Michael D Higgins described O'Connor as ‘authenticity’ as well as having a beautiful and unique voice. "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, he said. “She had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her."
Born Sinead Marie Bernadette O'Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, in December 1966, the singer had a difficult childhood. As a teenager, she was placed in Dublin's An Grianan Training Centre, once one of the notorious Magdalene laundries, originally set up to incarcerate young girls deemed to be promiscuous.
One nun bought her a guitar and set her up with a music teacher - which led to the launch of O'Connor's musical career. She released her first critically acclaimed album The Lion And The Cobra in 1987, which entered the top 40 in the UK and US. Her follow up was I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, which included Nothing Compares 2 U.
O'Connor, who was outspoken in her social and political views, released 10 studio albums between 1987 and 2014. In 1991, she was named artist of the year by Rolling Stone magazine and took home the Brit Award for international female solo artist. The following year, one of the most notable events of her career took place when she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on US TV show Saturday Night Live, where she was the invited performer.
Following an acapella performance of Bob Marley's War, she looked at the camera and said; "fight the real enemy", a protest against child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Her actions resulted in her being banned for life by broadcaster NBC and protests against her in the US, which saw copies of her records destroyed in New York's Times Square.
O'Connor's last studio album, I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss, was released in 2014. Converting to Islam in 2018, the Dublin singer changed her name to Shuhada' Sadaqat, but continued to perform under her birth name. She released a memoir, Rememberings, in 2021.
In 2022, her 17-year-old son Shane was found dead after being reported missing two days previously. Writing on social media following his death, she said he had "decided to end his earthly struggle" and requested "no-one follows his example".
The singer later cancelled all live performances for the rest of 2022 due to her "continuing grief" following the death of her son. She was 56!
O'Connor paid tribute to Shane in one of her final tweets, calling him "the love of my life, the lamp of my soul, we were one soul in two halves".
Belfast filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson, one of last few people to speak with O'Connor before her death, said she was "devastated" by the news.
Prior to the singer's death Ferguson had been working on a documentary film about O'Connor, titled Nothing Compares, which is set to be released this Saturday.
"She is one of the most radical, incredible musicians that we've had. And we were very, very lucky to have had her."
Social media was also flooded with tributes to the singer after her death was announced on Wednesday evening.
Singer Alison Moyet said O'Connor had an "astounding presence" and a voice that "cracked stone with force by increment".
"As beautiful as any girl around & never traded on that card. I loved that about her. Iconoclast."
Irish comedian Dara O'Briain said of her death: "That's just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her."
Musician Tim Burgess of the Charlatans said: "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."
Irish author Marian Keyes described O'Connor's death as "heartbreaking".
"How she suffered. Poor, poor Sinead. Rest in peace, you amazing, brave, beautiful, unique wonder."
Journalist Caitlin Moran posted: "She was decades before her time, and fearless. Rest in power, queen."
Irish film director Mark Cousins added: "Sinead O'Connor was our Irish wild side. Such a big part of our imagined lives."
Irish Deputy Prime Minister (Tanaiste) Micheal Martin said O'Connor was one of Ireland's "greatest musical icons".
In a statement on Twitter, he said he was "devastated to hear of [her] passing".
"One of our greatest musical icons, and someone deeply loved by the people of Ireland, and beyond. Our hearts go out to her children, her family, friends and all who knew and loved her."
Singer Bryan Adams, who had collaborated with O'Connor, 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."
