Marianne Faithfull, the iconic singer and actress known for her distinctive voice and tumultuous journey through the music industry, has died at the age of 78, her spokesperson confirmed. She passed away peacefully in London, surrounded by her loved ones.
A Star is Born
Born in Hampstead in December 1946, Faithfull rose to fame in the 1960s with her breakthrough hit As Tears Go By, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The song propelled her into stardom, securing her place in the British Invasion of the US pop charts. She also starred in notable films, including The Girl On A Motorcycle in 1968.
Beyond her career, she became widely known for her high-profile relationship with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger. Her influence extended beyond their romance, inspiring classic Stones tracks like Wild Horses and You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
Struggles and a Triumphant Return
Faithfull’s career took a downturn in the 1970s due to heroin addiction, leading to a period of homelessness in London’s Soho district. However, she made a remarkable comeback with her 1979 album Broken English, which earned critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Her deep, smoky vocals, shaped by years of experience and hardship, became a defining feature of her later work.
Tributes from the Music World
Mick Jagger paid tribute to Faithfull, calling her “a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer, and a great actress.” Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards expressed his sorrow, saying, “I will miss her.” Ronnie Wood shared heartfelt messages on Instagram, posting a vintage photo with the caption, “Farewell dear Marianne.”
Musicians across generations acknowledged her influence, with Metallica’s Lars Ulrich thanking her for her “incredible and unique contribution to music.” Faithfull collaborated with legends like David Bowie, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, and Emmylou Harris over the years.
A Life on Stage and Screen
Alongside her music career, Faithfull made her mark in theatre and film. She played Ophelia in Hamlet, starred in Chekhov’s Three Sisters, and even took on the role of God in the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. She continued performing and recording well into her later years, with her 2018 album Negative Capability reflecting on themes of grief and ageing.
Health Challenges and Final Years
Faithfull battled several health issues, including breast cancer, emphysema, and bulimia. In 2020, she was hospitalized with COVID-19 for 22 days, defying doctors’ expectations by recovering and releasing her final album, She Walks in Beauty, the following year.
Her contributions to music and culture were recognized with a World Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009, and France honored her as a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Remembering a Cultural Icon
Faithfull’s longtime friend, BBC Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris, described her as the “encapsulation of the sixties.” He noted that while she was initially known as Mick Jagger’s partner, she later established herself as an artist in her own right.
She was married three times—to artist John Dunbar, musician Ben Brierly, and actor Giorgio Della Terza—and is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar.
Marianne Faithfull leaves behind a legacy of resilience, reinvention, and artistry that will continue to inspire generations to come.
