Iconic British singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has passed away at the age of 78. Her death was confirmed by her spokesperson, who shared the news with the media on Tuesday. Faithfull, known for her timeless hit “As Tears Go By,” gained widespread fame in the 1960s and was remembered fondly by music lovers of that era.
Faithfull began her music career in 1964, having been discovered by The Rolling Stones’ manager, Andrew Loog Oldham. Her song “As Tears Go By,” written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones, became a defining hit of her career. Other memorable tracks by Faithfull include “Come and Stay with Me” and “The Little Bird and Summer Nights.”
In addition to her musical legacy, Faithfull had a brief but notable acting career. She appeared as a guest in Jean-Luc Godard’s Made in U.S.A. (1966) and later acted in films like The Girls of the Motorcycle, Ghost Story, Hamlet, and Shopping.
Born on December 29, 1946, in Hampstead, London, Faithfull began working with The Rolling Stones in 1964 and released her first album in 1965. Over the years, she released 21 albums, with her latest, She Walks in Beauty, arriving in 2021.
Faithfull was also known for her high-profile relationship with Mick Jagger during the 1960s. In a tribute following her passing, Jagger shared on Instagram, “I was very sad to hear about Marianne’s death. She had been such an important part of my life again for many years. She was a great friend, an amazing artist, and a wonderful actress. She will be missed.”
Throughout her life, Faithfull had multiple marriages, with her first to Mexican-British artist John Dunbar in 1965. However, her marriages ended in separation.
Faithfull’s contribution to both music and film, along with her unique voice and personality, has left a lasting impact on the entertainment world, and she will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and fans worldwide.