Marianne Faithfull, a legendary figure of the Swinging Sixties in London and known for her connection with “Rolling Stones” singer Mick Jagger, has passed away at the age of 78. The British singer and actress died peacefully surrounded by her family in London, as reported by a spokesperson on Thursday. Faithfull became famous with the song “As Tears Go By.”
Her family released a statement expressing deep sorrow over her passing, noting that she will be greatly missed. Faithfull had been hospitalized for three weeks due to a COVID-19 infection in April 2021.
Faithfull was one of the most recognized singers of the 1960s, partly because of her relationship with rock star Mick Jagger. The song “As Tears Go By,” written by Jagger and his guitarist Keith Richards, marked her first hit at the age of 17, making it into the British Top Ten.
Born on December 29, 1946, in a wealthy London family, Faithfull’s mother was an Austrian-Hungarian baroness and her father a British agent. In 1963, she was approached in a bar by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
Following “As Tears Go By,” Faithfull released other hits such as “Come and Stay With Me,” “This Little Bird,” and “Summer Nights.” She also ventured into theater and film, working with notable directors like Jean-Luc Godard, Sofia Coppola, and Patrice Chéreau.
Her tumultuous lifestyle with Jagger took a toll as she became addicted to heroin. In 1970, she survived a suicide attempt and an overdose. Her relationship with Jagger ended, and she lost custody of her son from a previous relationship.
Faithfull’s voice deepened over time, partly due to alcohol and smoking. By 1973, her performance style transformed, notable when she sang “I’ve Got You Babe” with David Bowie on a TV show.
During the late 1970s, she embraced a punk phase, performing songs like “Why D’Ya Do It?” and “Working Class Hero” by John Lennon. After undergoing rehab in the 1990s, Faithfull revitalized her career as a singer, actress, and TV star. At 68, she modeled for a Saint Laurent luxury brand campaign.