Tributes for the late Irish singer, Sinéad O’Connor, have been streaming in since news of her sudden death broke on Wednesday evening.
The musician and activist, who converted to Islam and changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat, was 56 when she took her last breath.
Her family broke the news on social media, sharing that the family is devastated, but did not disclose the cause of her death.
She was devastated by the death of her son, Shane O’Connor, who died by suicide at the age of 17 in January 2022.
Recently, in a now deleted tweet, she wrote that she had been living as an “undead night creature”.
“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,” read the cryptic tweet.
Authorities have confirmed that her death is not being treated as suspicious.
O’Connor’s most popular for the hit track Nothing Compares to You was written by the iconic Prince. The 1990 cover song reached number one worldwide. She had 10 albums under her belt.
Instantly recognisable with her trademark shaved head, O’Connor was also seen as controversial throughout her career, especially for speaking out against the Catholic Church.
Sinead O’Connor just died. She was heavily criticized in 1992 for tearing up a picture of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live, condemning of paedophilia in the Catholic Church. She was right all along.
— 🅹🅾️🅴🆈աrecκ ☭ (@joeywreck) July 26, 2023
Born in Dublin in December 1966, she reportedly had a challenging childhood. She was later introduced to a nun who bought her a guitar and introduced her to a music teacher.
O’Connor’s last studio album I’m Not Bossy, I’m The Boss was released in 2014.
Her death has seen many singing her praises for not only her music, but her strong views. Songwriter and musician Yusuf Cat Stevens wrote that O’Connor was a tender soul.
Sad to hear of the passing of sister Shuhada Sadaqat, also known as Sinéad O’Connor. She was a tender soul, may God, Most Merciful, grant her everlasting peace. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon – Verily we belong to God, and verily to Him do we return. 2:156 pic.twitter.com/arcZ3fPWK9
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) July 26, 2023
Legendary rock star Bryan Adams expressed how he enjoyed working with the singer.
RIP Sinéad O’Connor, I loved working with you making photos, doing gigs in Ireland together and chats, all my love to your family. pic.twitter.com/49ryuIhGTQ
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) July 26, 2023
Irish contemporary artist, Dr Robert Bohan, wrote: “By the time Sinéad O’Connor sang this [1992] some 70 000 children had been sexually abused by Catholic priests & brothers in Ireland. The state, media, bishops, cardinals & pope had covered it up. She was scorned.”
He added that it was a sad day because O’Connor was the voice of the oppressed and the sound of beauty.
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