Marianne Faithfull dead: Singer and Mick Jagger’s ex who shot to fame with hit single As Tears Go By dies aged 78
Marianne Faithfull dead: Singer and Mick Jagger’s ex who shot to fame with hit single As Tears Go By dies aged 78
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ICONIC singer Marianne Faithfull, best known for the song As Tears Go By, has died at the age of 78. The sad news was broken this evening by a spokesperson for the legendary artist. Marianne, who was known for her high profile relationship with The Rolling Stones' lead singer Mick Jagger, passed away today, surrounded by her family. They shared a statement which read: "It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull.
![[Posed portrait of Marianne Faithfull.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/posed-portrait-marianne-faithful-photo-474104649.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. "She will be dearly missed.". Marianne was born on December 29, 1946 in Hampstead, London. She skyrocketed to fame in 1964 when she was just 16-years-old at a party for the Rolling Stones. Marianne was discovered by Andrew Loog Oldham and would go on to become recognised as one of the most original British female singer-songwriters.
![[Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull leaving a building.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/f5c09b76-b460-4b3a-a65e-8ab5a33a37b1.jpg?strip=all&w=684)
Before this the artist had been scoring low-level coffeehouse gigs performing folk music. But her debut album Marianne Faithfull, released in 1965, saw her shoot to stardom. The singer was in a relationship with ' Mick Jagger from 1966 to 1970. While dating the rock icon Marianne also broke into the acting world. She was a household name with starring roles in hits including I'll Never Forget What's'isname, The Girl on a Motorcycle and Hamlet.
![[Black and white photo of Marianne Faithfull and Mick Jagger.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/1970-marianne-faithfull-mick-jagger-1029561.jpg?strip=all&w=739)
Marianne's popularity took a dip in the 1970s after she took a step back from the limelight. She had bravely been candid about her struggles with an eating disorder and drug use. But in 1979 the industry legend made a comeback with her album Broken English. It saw her nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Marianne went on to release albums Dangerous Acquaintances, A Child's Adventure, and Strange Weather, all in the 1980s.
![[Marianne Faithfull at a film retrospective.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/marianne-faithfull-attends-gus-van-291252318.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
She was also a prolific writer, with three books about her life, Faithfull: An Autobiography, Memories, Dreams & Reflections , and Marianne Faithfull: A Life on Record. In 2009, Marianne received the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women's World Awards. The Government of France also made her a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Marianne suffered health scares from 2005 to 2006 and was later open about her long-Covid battle in 2021.
![[Marianne Faithfull on a motorcycle, from the film *The Girl on a Motorcycle*.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/british-actress-singer-marianne-faithfull-913251202.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
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