Sinead O’Connor dead: How the legendary Irish singer battled mental health demons and was left ‘tortured’ by the suicide of her beloved teenage son as tributes roll in for the ‘star that shone so bright’ after her death at the age of 56
It was just 18 months ago that Sinead O’Connor was left haunted and heartbroken at the death of her beloved teenage son Shane after he took his own life.
And tonight the family of the Irish singer announced she had died aged 56 following years of mental health battles.
In a statement her family said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinead. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.’
She found worldwide fame with 1990 hit single Nothing Compares 2 U, composed by rock legend Prince, which reached Number One around the globe. The song was accompanied by an powerful video which included her shedding tears which she later revealed were real. The circumstances of Ms O’Connor’s death are not yet known though her social media perhaps left little doubt to the fragile state she was in the week running up to her death.
In a Twitter post just ten days ago she gave an insight into her grief since losing Shane in January 2022, claiming he was ‘the only person who ever loved me unconditionally’.
Sinead O’Connor, pictured at MTV Video Music Awards in 1990, has died aged 56
O’Connor (pictured on stage in Italy, 2014), was left heartbroken last year at the death of her beloved teenage son Shane after he took his own life
Just days before her death O’Connor posted a photo of herself and her son Shane who died and wrote: ‘Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul’
His death aged 17, according to Ms O’Connor’s friends, left her a ‘shell of herself,’ with one saying: ‘Shane’s passing left her already tortured soul even more tortured.’
The singer had shared her heartache at losing her son publicly, criticising the Irish authorities, including the child and family agency Tusla, for their ‘refusal to accept responsibility’ for Shane’s passing and claimed ‘too many kids were dying on their watch’.
Ms O’Connor also said she had been to identify the body of her son who was last seen in Tallaght, South Dublin. He had gone missing from hospital a day earlier.
READ MORE: Sinead O’Connor’s anguished final Tweets: Star said she had been ‘living as an undead night creature’ since her son, 17, took his own life last year
Indeed, she made no secret of her mental and physical health struggles – and was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and the painful condition fibromyalgia. Married four times, she wed her first husband – record producer John Reynolds – in 1989 but their marriage only last two years. She then married Daily Mirror journalist Nick Sommerlad in 2001.
They split a year later and in 2010 she tied the knot with Australian musician Steve Cooney – but their romance lasted only a year. Her fourth husband was Barry Herridge.
The star also dated Genesis star Peter Gabriel and Irish newspaper columnist John Waters.
She converted to Islam in 2018 and changed her name to Shuhada Sadaqat, though she performed as Sinead O’Connor.
Celebrities tonight paid tribute to her.
At the time of her death O’Connor was thought to be spending her time between Co Roscommon, Ireland, and London
Irish TV presenter Laura Whitmore said: ‘Sinead was the biggest star I ever met. And I was so starstruck I barely spoke. In many ways a star that shone so bright it was probably hard to cope having that much talent.
‘The most beautiful voice, face and aura. As an Irish woman growing up in the 90s she was everything. Showing girls were cool, Irish women could be recognised globally and shaved heads not just for guys.’
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: ‘Really sorry to hear of the passing of Sinead O’Connor. Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare.
Her final poignant message
The singer reportedly had struggled with her mental health since her son Shane took his own life in January last year.
Ms O’Connor hailed the 17-year-old last week in what appears to be one of her final posts with a photo of them.
She said: ‘Been living as 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.’
Sinead also posted Spotify links including one to ‘all mothers of suicided children’.
‘Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music.
‘Ar dheis Dé go Raibh a hAnam. (Rest in peace)
Comedian Dara O’Briain said: ‘Sinead O’Connor has died. That’s just very sad news. Poor thing. I hope she realised how much love there was for her.’
The Irish singer was born into a troubled family in Dublin on December 8, 1966.
Later in her life she claimed she started having mental health issues because her mother physically and sexually abused her as a child.
She was placed in corrective school aged 15 after bouts of stealing in Dublin. It was there someone spotted her musical talent and bought her a guitar and pushed her to have lessons.
Through an advert in a Dublin music magazine, she met Colm Farrelly, in 1984 and together they formed the band Ton Ton Macoute, which brought Ms O’Connor to the attention of the global music industry.
After signing with Ensign Records she released her first album, I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got in 1990, which sold more than seven million copies and included her breakthrough hit Nothing Compares 2 U.
In the years after her breakthrough she wrote other hits including You Made Me The Thief Of Your Heart – for the soundtrack of Daniel Day-Lewis film In the Name of the Father – Drink Before The War and This Is The Day and released ten studio albums in her career.
Long known as much for her shaved head and outspoken views on religion, sex, feminism and war as for her music, she will be remembered for ripping up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a television appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Ms O’Connor is survived by three children Jake, 36, Brigidine Roisin, 27, and Yeshua Francis Neil, 17.
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