Sinéad O'Connor
Irish singer (1966–2023) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Shuhada' Sadaqat[lower-alpha 1] (born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor /ʃɪˈneɪd/ shin-AYD; 8 December 1966 – 26 July 2023) was an Irish singer, songwriter, and activist.[8] Her debut studio album, The Lion and the Cobra, was released in 1987 and achieved international chart success. Her 1990 album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, was her biggest commercial success, selling over seven million copies worldwide.[9] Its lead single, "Nothing Compares 2 U", was honoured as the top world single of the year at the Billboard Music Awards.[10]
Sinéad O'Connor | |
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Born | Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor (1966-12-08)8 December 1966 Dublin, Ireland |
Died | 26 July 2023(2023-07-26) (aged 56) Herne Hill, London, England |
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Works | Discography |
Spouses | |
Children | 4 |
Relatives | Joseph O'Connor (brother) |
Musical career | |
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Years active | 1986–2023 |
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Website | sineadoconnor |
O'Connor achieved chart success with Am I Not Your Girl? (1992) and Universal Mother (1994), both certified gold in the UK,[11] as well as Faith and Courage (2000), certified gold in Australia.[12] Throw Down Your Arms (2005) achieved gold status in Ireland.[13] Her career encompassed songs for films, collaborations with numerous artists, and appearances at charity fundraising concerts. O'Connor's memoir, Rememberings, was released in 2021 and became a bestseller.[14]
O'Connor drew attention to issues such as child abuse, human rights, racism, and women's rights. During a Saturday Night Live performance in 1992, she tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II to protest against abuse in the Catholic Church, sparking controversy. Throughout her musical career, she openly discussed her spiritual journey, activism, socio-political viewpoints, and her experiences with trauma and struggles with mental health. After converting to Islam in 2018, she adopted the name Shuhada' Sadaqat[1][15][16] while continuing to perform and record under her birth name.[17]