The singer-songwriter Marianne Faithfull, one of the most iconic figures in British music, passed away this Thursday at the age of 78 at her home in London, a family spokesperson confirmed through a statement.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of singer, songwriter, and actress Marianne Faithfull. Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, surrounded by her loving family. She will be deeply missed”, the statement reads.
Following her death, Marianne leaves behind a legacy of 21 studio albums and a career defined by her constant reinvention and resilience. Her son, Nicholas Dunbar, is her only surviving family member.
What did Marianne Faithfull die from?
At this time, the cause of her death has not been revealed. However, over the years, she faced several health problems. The first of these occurred in 2006, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, from which she recovered after undergoing surgery.
A year later, in 2007, Faithfull shared that she had been suffering from hepatitis C for over a decade. Additionally, in 2020, she contracted covid-19, which led to her being hospitalized for 22 days; although she recovered, the illness had a severe impact on her voice.
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Who was Marianne Faithfull?
Marianne Faithfull was born on December 29, 1946, in London, England. She was the daughter of Eva, a descendant of an Austro-Hungarian noble family, and Robert, a British intelligence officer and professor of Italian literature.
Her personal life was constantly in the public eye, especially after she divorced her first husband, John Dunbar, and began a relationship in 1966 with Mick Jagger, the iconic lead singer of the Rolling Stones.
Faithfull and Jagger, both deeply involved in the world of drugs, ended their relationship in 1970 when she started a romance with William Westenra, an Anglo-Irish nobleman. That same year, she lost custody of her son, Nicholas, from her marriage to Dunbar, which led her to a suicide attempt.
Later, Faithfull became romantically involved with punk rock singer Ben Brierly, whom she married in 1979. During their marriage, she had an affair with Howard Tose, who tragically committed suicide by jumping from his apartment. Eventually, her marriage to Brierly ended in divorce in 1986.
In 1988, Faithfull married for the third time to writer and actor Giorgio Della Terza, but the relationship didn’t last, and they divorced in 1991.
What was Marianne Faithfull’s net worth?
Despite living a life full of excesses, Marianne Faithfull’s net worth was estimated at $15 million.
Marianne Faithfull’s Most Famous Songs
Marianne Faithfull began her musical career in 1964, performing folk music in cafés. It didn’t take long for her to become part of the vibrant London music scene, where she connected with figures such as John Dunbar and Andrew Loog Oldham. The latter, producer and manager of the Rolling Stones, collaborated with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards to write “As Tears Go By”, Faithfull’s first major hit. She then released other notable singles like “The Little Bird,” “Summer Nights,” and “Come and Stay With Me,” which was the lead track of her self-titled debut album released in 1965. She also released Come My Way in the UK and Go Away from My World in the US. Her subsequent albums were North Country Maid (1966) and Love in a Mist (1967).
Due to health problems that permanently altered her voice, Faithfull released Dreamin’ My Dreams in 1976, an album with country influences.
After years of battling addiction, she made a remarkable comeback in 1979 with Broken English, an album that blended rock, punk, reggae, and new wave. Highly acclaimed by critics, the album earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance and is considered her masterpiece.
In the following years, she released albums such as Dangerous Acquaintances, A Child’s Adventure, Rich Kid Blues, and the critically acclaimed Strange Weather, heavily influenced by blues. In the early 1990s, she released the successful live album Blazing Away, followed by works such as A Secret Life, The Seven Deadly Sins, and Vagabond Ways. Her later albums include Kissin Time, Easy Come, Easy Go, Horses and High Heels, and Negative Capability.
