She first rose to fame in 1990 when her hit single Nothing Compares 2 U won over the hearts of the nation.
But Sinéad O’Connor went on to become just as well known for her outspoken voice and signature shaved head as she did for her chart-topping singles. The Irish singer went on to receive eight Grammy Award nominations, including a win in 1991 for best alternative album with I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.
The star also became known for her controversial protests throughout her career. Loyal fans will remember how she famously tore up a picture of the Pope during an appearance of Saturday Night Live in 1992.
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Later in life, she also went on a spiritual journey and found religion. As fans all over the world mark what would have been the late singer’s 57th birthday, Daily Star has taken a deep dive inside her final days in the lead up to her tragic death.
(Image: Star Tribune via Getty Images)
The musician faced several hardships in the final year of her life. Ahead of her death, Sinéad revealed details of an alleged stalker, sharing her concerns via social media.
Two weeks before she passed away, the singer wrote: “There is one stalker. Female. Violent: again NEVER engage with anyone claiming they know me without asking my management.”
Three days later, she took to social media again to warn fans of her fears that a man had been impersonating her and messaging unsuspecting fans pretending to be her. A friend of the star told The Sun that Sinéad had been distressed by the female stalker.
They told the publication: “Sinéad felt very uncomfortable. She had started a new life in London but this person was making her feel on edge.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Arguably the most painful obstacle she faced was the loss of her second youngest son Shane who died after he left a hospital while on suicide watch. The singer who changed her name to Shuhada’ Sadeqat after converting to Islam, had recently moved to London in a bid to feel “less lonely” following his death.
It is understood she moved into a penthouse apartment in Lambeth the month before her death. In the final weeks of her life, Sinéad posted a desperate tweet to her late son. It read: “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.”
(Image: Twitter)
In the days and weeks before her passing, the star had been updating fans on her X account about her life and revealed that she was planning to create music in the lead-up to her passing. Her management team later revealed that she had been putting the finishing touches to a new album, her first studio record in nine years.
She was also looking at finalising upcoming tour dates for 2023 and had been exploring “opportunities” around a movie of her book. The songstress died at the age of 56 on Wednesday, July 26. No cause of death has yet been released.
She is survived by her three children, Jake, Roisin and Yeshua. Confirming her death, her heartbroken family released a statement to her adoring fans all over the world.
(Image: Redferns via Getty Images)
It read: “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.”
Thousands of fans paid tribute to the hitmaker on August 8 as her fans, friends and family said their final goodbyes at the star’s former home in Montebello, Bray. The funeral cortege travelled along the Strand Road, beginning at the Harbour Bar, ahead of a private burial where her family laid her to rest.
A family statement released on the day said: “Sinéad loved living in Bray and the people in it. With this procession, her family would like to acknowledge the outpouring of love for her from the people of Co Wicklow and beyond, since she left last week, to go to another place.”
(Image: PA)
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A tribute to the singer was made on Bray Head, close to where Sinéad lived and directly above a World War Two navigational landmark. The location of the tribute is just a short walk from Sinéad’s home on Strand Road.
A sign reading: “EIRE [heart] SINÉAD,” was placed close to the World War Two “EIRE” landmark which had initially disappeared from sight but was later rediscovered when a wildfire torched the ground in 2018. Each letter of the moving sign measures 30ft tall and was the brainchild of The Tenth Man, in association with mural specialists, Mack Signs.
Executive creative director of Tenth Man, Richard Seabrooke said: “So much has been said about Sinéad since her recent passing, I’m not sure what is left to say. We just wanted to take the opportunity to mark the moment with a bold statement that symbolises what she meant to this little country of ours.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
