The death has been announced of Irish singer and activist Sinéad O’Connor. She was 56. The cause of death has not been made public.
Sinéad O’Connor was best known for her cover version of Prince’s song Nothing Compares 2 U, released in 1990. Her single reached number one in worldwide charts and brought her immediate fame.
She became a controversial figure when she responded to what she saw as the patriarchy of the music industry by shaving her head, and when she famously tore up a picture of the Pope as a protest against the abuses of the Catholic church during an appearance on Saturday Night Live in 1992.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said that Sinéad O’Connor’s music “was loved around the world and her talent was unmatched”, while Irish President Michael D Higgins praised her “authenticity” and her “beautiful, unique voice”.
