Irish singer and activist Sinéad O’Connor passed away at the age of 56, leaving her family and friends devastated.
Her most famous song, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” released in 1990, reached number one worldwide and brought her immense fame.
Taoiseach (Irish PM) Leo Varadkar praised her music, calling her talent unmatched and beyond compare, while Irish President Michael D Higgins admired her authenticity and unique voice.
Born Sinead Marie Bernadette O’Connor in Glenageary, County Dublin, in December 1966, her childhood was marked by difficulties. As a teenager, she was placed in Dublin’s An Grianan Training Centre, once known for incarcerating young girls considered promiscuous. However, a nun’s gift of a guitar and a music teacher led her to embark on her musical journey.
She released her critically acclaimed debut album “The Lion And The Cobra” in 1987, followed by “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got,” which included “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
Throughout her career, O’Connor released ten studio albums and received numerous accolades, including being named artist of the year by Rolling Stone magazine in 1991.
One of the most controversial moments of her career occurred in 1992 when she ripped up a picture of Pope John Paul II on US TV show Saturday Night Live. This protest against child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church led to her being banned by broadcaster NBC and facing protests in the US.
In 2018, she converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat but continued to perform under her birth name. She released a memoir, “Rememberings,” in 2021.
Tragically, in January 2022, her 17-year-old son Shane passed away, prompting her to cancel all live performances for the rest of 2022 due to her grief.
Belfast filmmaker Kathryn Ferguson had been working on a documentary film about O’Connor, titled “Nothing Compares,” which is set to be released as a tribute to the iconic singer.
O’Connor’s death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fellow musicians, comedians, authors, and fans worldwide, praising her unique talent and fearless, passionate approach to music. She will be remembered as a true icon, leaving behind a powerful and enduring musical legacy.
