Marianne Faithfull Passes Away at 78: A Legendary Journey
Singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has passed away at the age of 78, as confirmed by her spokesperson. Born in Hampstead in December 1946, Faithfull became an iconic figure in music and film, known for her hauntingly beautiful voice and a career that spanned decades.
A Life in Music and Film
Faithfull first rose to fame with her 1964 hit “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, which became an international sensation. She also starred in notable films such as The Girl On A Motorcycle (1968), further cementing her status as a 60s icon.
She was romantically linked with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s and was said to have inspired legendary songs like Wild Horses and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. However, her life took a darker turn in the 1970s when she struggled with heroin addiction, leading to a period of homelessness in Soho.
Faithfull made a remarkable comeback in 1979 with her critically acclaimed album Broken English, which showcased her raw, gravelly voice and deeply personal lyrics. The album earned her a Grammy nomination and established her as an artist of depth and resilience.
Tributes from the Music Industry
Mick Jagger paid tribute to Faithfull, calling her “a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer, and a great actress.” Keith Richards expressed his sorrow, stating that he “will miss her dearly.” Another heartfelt tribute came from Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who shared nostalgic pictures and called her “dearly missed.”
Many musicians, including David Bowie, Lou Reed, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, and Metallica, have collaborated with Faithfull over the years, recognizing her immense influence in the industry. Metallica’s drummer Lars Ulrich thanked her for her “incredible and unique contribution to music.”
A Storied Career and Legacy
Faithfull’s career extended beyond music, with her presence felt in theater and television. She played Ophelia in Hamlet and appeared in the sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. However, music remained her true passion. Her 2018 album Negative Capability reflected on themes of aging, loneliness, and grief, bringing her career full circle with a poignant re-recording of As Tears Go By.
She battled multiple health issues, including bulimia, breast cancer, and emphysema caused by years of smoking. In 2020, she contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized for 22 days but miraculously survived, going on to release her 21st album She Walks in Beauty in 2021.
A True Icon of the 60s
Faithfull’s legacy is one of resilience and reinvention. She was honored with the World Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009 and was named a commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Her long-time friend and BBC presenter Bob Harris described her as “an encapsulation of the sixties,” acknowledging that while she was first known as Mick Jagger’s girlfriend, she ultimately became recognized as a powerful artist in her own right.
Faithfull was married three times—to artist John Dunbar in 1965, musician Ben Brierly in 1979, and actor Giorgio Della Terza in 1988. She is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar.
Marianne Faithfull’s life was a testament to the highs and lows of rock and roll, yet she carved a path that was uniquely her own. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered as a true icon.
