LONDON, The United Kingdom — Marianne Faithfull, the singer, songwriter, and actress who emerged as one of the defining voices of the 1960s British Invasion, died Thursday, January 30, 2025, in London, her spokesperson confirmed. She was 78.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter, and actress Marianne Faithfull,” her representative said in a statement.
“Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”
The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
Faithfull was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, but at the time, she expressed confidence in her recovery.
“I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team, and of course, I will be well again, if not better than ever,” she said that year.
“Next year’s tour, I want to assure fans, will be one big celebration.”
Faithfull rose to prominence with her breakthrough hit “As Tears Go By,” which spent nine weeks on the Billboard charts in late 1964 and early 1965, reaching No. 9.
Written by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Rolling Stones’ manager Andrew Loog Oldham, the song marked the beginning of her music career and cemented her place in pop history.
A year later, the Rolling Stones released their own version, which also peaked at No. 10 on the charts.
Her personal and professional life remained intertwined with the Rolling Stones. She had a high-profile relationship with Mick Jagger in the late 1960s, a period that also saw her struggle with drug addiction and personal hardships.
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Despite these challenges, she re-emerged as a critically acclaimed artist in the late 1970s with albums like Broken English, which showcased her distinctive, smoky vocals and raw lyrical honesty.
Over the course of her decades-long career, Faithfull continued to release music that explored themes of survival, loss, and resilience.
She remained a respected figure in rock and alternative music, with later albums such as Before the Poison and Negative Capability earning widespread acclaim.
Faithfull’s influence stretched far beyond her music, as she was also known for her roles in film and theatre.
Her legacy as a pioneering female artist and cultural icon remains firmly intact, influencing generations of musicians and performers.
Tributes from fellow artists, fans, and cultural figures have begun pouring in, remembering Faithfull as a trailblazer whose impact on music and pop culture will endure.
