Sinéad O’Connor, who was known for the song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” has died at the age of 56.
According to the BBC, a statement from her family said: “It is with great sadness that we announced the passing of our beloved Sinead.”
“Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time,” the statement subsequently added.
No official cause of death has been given at this time.
Rolling Stone noted that O’Connor’s public stances on child abuse, war, and organized religion have kept her in the news, long after her commercial success in music in the ’90s. She was also plagued by mental health issues, and she was very outspoken in her political and social views.
An Irish singer, O’Connor was the inaugural winner of the Grammy Award for “Best Alternative Music Album” for her sophomore studio album “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got.” That seminal album featured the song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” which was written by Prince.
“Nothing Comapres 2 U” is a power ballad that was released in January of 1990, and it topped the charts all over the world in such countries as Ireland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.K.
In the USA, the song spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The song scored Grammy nominations for “Record of the Year,” “Best Music Video — Short Form,” and “Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.”
According to People Magazine, O’Connor was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder as well as complex post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder. In 2018, she had announced that she converted to Islam.
