Irish pop singer Sinead O’Connor has died aged 56. The newspaper “Irish Times”, the Irish broadcaster RTÉ and the BBC reported on Wednesday evening, citing a statement from the family. O’Connor was one of Ireland’s best-known musicians. She had her international breakthrough in 1990 with the song “Nothing Compares 2 You” written by Prince, which was also a number one hit in Germany and was at the top of the charts eleven weeks ago 33 years ago.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Sinead,” quoted the Irish Times, RTÉ and the BBC from the family statement. Family and friends therefore asked to maintain their privacy during this difficult time.
Setbacks and controversial appearances
The singer was born on December 8, 1966. During her life she recorded several albums. O’Connor repeatedly attracted attention with controversial appearances and statements, she tore up a picture of Pope John Paul II in front of the camera around 1992.
O’Connor has spoken out about mental health issues in the past. “Mental illness is a bit like drugs – it doesn’t care about who you are,” she said in a video that sparked concern for O’Connor in 2017. More than a year ago she lost her then only 17-year-old son.
Spiritually, O’Connor had taken different directions. A few years ago it was announced that she had converted to Islam. In the 1990s, she was allegedly ordained a priest by a Catholic splinter group. O’Connor had repeatedly announced that she wanted to end her career.
