Summary

  • Irish singer and activist Sinéad O'Connor has died aged 56

  • Her most successful single was her 1990 cover of the Prince song Nothing Compares 2 U

  • It topped charts around the world and featured on her Grammy-winning album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got

  • She had a turbulent childhood, was later diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and spoke openly about her struggles with her mental health

  • O'Connor was outspoken on subjects ranging from religion to women's rights and racism, once tearing up a photo of Pope John Paul II on US TV

  • The singer was ordained as a priest in an independent Catholic church in 1999, but announced she had converted to Islam in 2018

  • She had four children, one of whom - Shane - took his own life aged 17 in 2022

Live Reporting

Edited by Andrew Humphrey

  1. Music as therapy to escape a turbulent childhood

    File photo dated 10/11/1998 of Sinead O'ConnorPA Media

    Sinéad O'Connor saw music as the therapy to escape a turbulent childhood.

    Her rebellious nature was mainly driven by resentment at the abuse she suffered as a child and her experience in a Dublin reformatory.

    It was music that rescued her, unleashing a creative talent that made her a worldwide music star - but also a rebel prepared to be controversial and never play the game of being an image-led pop star.

    With her elfin features and skinhead look she was one of pop music's most recognisable figures.

    O'Connor was a precocious talent who used music as a means of dealing with the demons inside her.

    A contradictory figure in many ways, she always refused to toe the establishment line, something that saw her achieve less success than she deserved.

    The singer though was unapologetic and unrepentant for those life choices. "I always say, if you live with the devil, you find out there's a god."

    You can read the full obituary, which traces her life from childhood to international stardom here.

  2. Talent unmatched and beyond compare - Taoiseach Leo Varadkar

    Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach (prime minister of Ireland), wrote on Twitter that he was "really sorry" to hear of the death of Sinéad O’Connor.

    Her music was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched and beyond compare. Condolences to her family, her friends and all who loved her music."

    Leo Varadkar, Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland

  3. The song that made Sinéad O'Connor a household name

    Sinéad O'Connor rose to fame in 1990 with a striking arrangement of Prince's Nothing Compares 2 U.

    Her version of the ballad topped charts across the world and spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, earning her three Grammy nominations.

    The music video, directed by John Maybury, consists mostly of a close up on O'Connor's face as she sings the lyrics.

    The visual won three Moonmen at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards, including Video of the Year, where the singer was the first female artist to win the esteemed prize.

    The music video on O’Connor’s official YouTube channel has had nearly 400 million views.

  4. 'Devastated' family ask for privacy

    Picture shows singer Sinead O'Connor on the BBC One's The Andrew Marr Show in 2013

    In a statement announcing her death, Sinéad O’Connor’s family say:

    It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."

  5. Paying tribute to Sinéad O’Connor’s life and work

    As you’ve likely seen, Legendary Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor has died, aged 56.

    We’ll be bringing you tributes to her life here, as well as looking back on her long and storied career in music.

    Stay with us.