Sinead O’Connor has died aged just fifty-six years old, and in the wake of her death a heartbreaking video posted just days before her death has emerged.
O’Connor was best known for her music career. Her debut album The Lion and the Cobra was released when she was just twenty years old, and saw the Ireland native achieve chart success with its hits such as ‘Mandinka’ and ‘Troy’.
However, it was undoubtedly her 1990 cover of Prince’s The Family’s track ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ that saw O’Connor achieve international fame. The song became a worldwide hit, topping charts everywhere from the UK to the USA, Mexico, New Zealand and beyond.
Beyond her career, O’Connor was known for her protest and activism, talking openly about her religious journey, activism and mental health struggles throughout her years.
Tributes have poured in for the star, with Irish President Michael D Higgins praising her “authenticity” and “beautiful unique voice.”
“What Ireland has lost at such a relatively young age is one of our greatest and most gifted composers, songwriters and performers of recent decades, one who had a unique talent and extraordinary connection with her audience, all of whom held such love and warmth for her,” he said, via the BBC.
O’Connor was open about her personal struggles, and the final video she shared reflected that. Posted just days before her death, she shared a video talking about her late son, Shane.
Shane took his own life last year aged seventeen. His body was discovered in Wicklow. O’Connor said at the time: “My beautiful son, Nevi’im Nesta Ali Shane O’Connor, the very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God.
“May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby. I love you so much. Please be at peace.”
On July 9, days before her death, she shared a heartbreaking video to her where she discussed his death.
She began by confirming to fans her identity, as some fans who followed her page didn’t ‘believe’ it was her account.
“I look like s**t either way, which is why I didn’t want to make a video,” she said.
“But you know the way, your kid unfortunately passing away, it isn’t good for one’s body or soul. But look, let’s not dwell on that.”
She continued to give viewers a glimpse of her flat and some flowers a friend had sent her.
“There’s my new Johnny f**king Cash guitar that I’m going to write some tunes on,” she added.
Her final Twitter post was equally as heartbreaking, as she shared a photo of herself with Shane, captioned: “Been living as undead night creature since..
“He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him.”
