Her relatives broke the news, saying “her family and friends are devastated,” “with great sadness.” It is unknown what caused the death.
Michael D. Higgins, the president of Ireland, hailed O’Connor for her “authenticity” and “beautiful, distinctive voice.”
The singer had a challenging upbringing. She was born Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor in December 1966 in Glenageary, County Dublin.
She spent her adolescent years in Dublin’s An Grianan Training Centre, which was formerly one of the notorious Magdalene Laundries and was built to house young girls who were believed to be promiscuous.
O’Connor’s musical career began when a nun purchased her a guitar and connected her with a music teacher.
In 1987, she published The Lion And The Cobra, her debut album that received accolades and peaked at number 40 in both the UK and the US.
I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, her follow-up album, featured Nothing Compares 2 U.
The song, which was written by Prince, peaked at number one in the US and the UK.
Between 1987 and 2014, O’Connor, who was outspoken about her social and political opinions, released 10 studio albums.
She won the Brit Award for international female solo artist in 1991 and was chosen artist of the year by Rolling Stone magazine.
[sourcelink link=”https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jul/26/sinead-oconnor-dies-aged-56″]
