Sinead O'Connor has passed away at the age of 56, outlets including the Associated Press are reporting.
The singer, who adopted the name Shuhada' Sadaqat after converting to Islam in 2018, was known globally for her rendition of Prince's 'Nothing Compares 2 U' in 1990.
During her career, she released ten studio albums that deeply resonated with her fans worldwide. 'Nothing Compares 2 U' went on to top the Billboard Music Awards as the world number one single in 1990.
O'Connor faced significant hardship from an early age. Her parents divorced when she was only eight, and she later spoke of suffering physical abuse, which she vividly portrayed in her song 'Fire on Babylon.' Throughout her life, she became a powerful advocate for children who suffered abuse.
The singer's struggles with mental health became public in 2007 when she revealed on The Oprah Winfrey Show that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder four years prior. She also shared with Winfrey that she had attempted to take her life on her 33rd birthday in 1999.
In a 2012 update on her website, O'Connor disclosed that she was "very unwell" due to mental health problems she had been experiencing at the end of 2011. Later, in 2014, she said per The Mirror that she was not actually bipolar, attributing her mental health challenges to a lack of hormone-replacement therapy after undergoing a hysterectomy.
Last year was particularly tough for the mother-of-four as her son Shane tragically took his own life at just 17. Following the tragedy, O'Connor was admitted to the hospital after she shared her suicidal ideations on social media.
Grieving the loss of her son, she wrote on Twitter, "Been living as an undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him."
Career-wise, 2022 marked a significant milestone for the singer, with a film released that celebrated her life and career. She was also honored with the inaugural award for Classic Irish Album at the RTÉ Choice Music Awards in March.
As she received the award for her album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got, she dedicated it to "each and every member of Ireland’s refugee community", stating, "You’re very welcome in Ireland. I love you very much and I wish you happiness."
She is survived by her three children, leaving behind an enduring legacy of hit songs as well as her fearless advocacy.
O'Connor's influence extended beyond her music; she consistently used her platform to advocate for various charities and causes. However, her outspoken nature also sparked numerous controversies.
The most notable occurred in 1992 when, during a performance on Saturday Night Live, she protested against child abuse by tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II, uttering the word "evil." Despite these controversies, O'Connor's angelic voice and tireless advocacy have left a lasting impact.
The cause of her death is yet to be released.
Our thoughts are with O'Connor's loved ones at this time.
