Sineád O’Connor, the legendary Irish singer behind the global hit “Nothing Compares 2 U”, passed away at 56. Many of her peers looked back at her life and legacy after her family released an official statement confirming her death.
O’Connor’s death was announced in a statement released by her family, which reads, “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.”
O’Connor’s family didn’t share the cause, date, or place of her passing, but the singer went through many hardships in recent years. Her final social media post from last week saw her reflecting on the death of her son Shane at the age of 17, and she described him as the love of her life and the lamp of her soul.
O’Connor’s rise to prominence started during the late ’80s, with the release of her debut album The Lion and the Cobra, which earned her first Grammy nomination. She became a household name thanks to her global hit “Nothing Compares 2 U”, written by Prince, which earned her a Grammy nod for the record of the year.
O’Connor released a total of 10 studio albums, including her final LP I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss from 2014. She became a symbol of authenticity and resilience thanks to her commitment to honest expression, both in her music and her life, which she described in detail in her best-selling memoir Remembrance from 2021.
