Marianne Faithfull, the celebrated British singer and actress who became a defining voice of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 78. She died peacefully in London, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on December 29, 1946, in London, Faithfull was the daughter of a British intelligence officer and an Austrian aristocrat. She began her career as a teenager, gaining international fame with her 1964 hit “As Tears Go By,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones. Her haunting vocals and ethereal presence quickly made her a prominent figure in London’s Swinging ’60s scene.
Throughout her life, Faithfull faced numerous challenges, including battles with drug addiction, homelessness, and health issues such as cancer and COVID-19. Despite these obstacles, she released 21 solo albums, with “Broken English” (1979) earning critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination.
Her personal life was closely intertwined with the rock ‘n’ roll world, notably through her relationship with Mick Jagger. Faithfull’s resilience and enduring talent ensured her place as a beloved and influential artist.
In 2020, Faithfull contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized in a coma. She recovered and continued to work on her final album, “She Walks in Beauty,” a collection of Romantic-era poems set to music, released in 2021.
Faithfull is survived by her son, Nicholas. Her legacy as a trailblazer in music and culture will be remembered and celebrated by fans worldwide.
