The news about the death of one of the most famous Irish artists, Sinéad O’Connor, came just over a year after her son passed away. O’Connor’s 17-year-old son died by suicide, and she could never fully recover from that loss.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad,” her family shared in a statement to The Irish Times. “Her family and friends are heartbroken and have asked for privacy during this very tough time.”
Sinéad was born in Dublin on December 8, 1966, and her childhood was quite difficult. With a mother who was abusive, the singer dedicated her life to advocating against child abuse, wanting to ensure that no other child would have to go through what she did.
Throughout her career, especially after her big hit in 1990 with Nothing Compares 2 U, O’Connor raised awareness and spoke candidly about her spiritual journey, activism, and struggles with mental health.
The controversies in her life began when there were rumors about the Catholic Church hiding sexual abuse cases, which led to protests. During an episode of Saturday Night Live, O’Connor shared her views on the situation in a very controversial way by tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II while singing Bob Marley’s War, urging the audience to “fight the real enemy.”
Her choices had an impact on her career, but the singer mentioned that she felt no regrets. “Everyone wants a pop star, right? But I see myself as a protest singer. I just needed to express my feelings. I never wanted to be famous,” she stated in her 2021 memoir Rememberings.
