In a statement, her family said: “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.”
O’Connor released 10 studio albums over the course of her career. Her first, The Lion and the Cobra, acheived gold status upon its release in 1987.
She was possibly best known for her single ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’, which reached number one around the world in 1990.
Her most recent tour in 2022 was postponed following the death of her 17-year-old son. Her album No Veteran Dies Alone was postponed indefinitely as a result.
An outspoken social and political campaigner, she consistently spoke out on child abuse, human rights, anti-racism, organised religion, and women’s rights.
Appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1992, O’Connor caused widespread controversy by tearing up a picture of then-Pope John Paul II in protest at the rampant sexual abuse taking place within the Catholic Church.
After converting to Islam in 2018, O’Connor changed her legal name to Shuhada’ Sadaqat. However, prior to her death, she continued to record and perform under her birth name.
