Marianne Faithfull, a prominent figure in British music who ascended to fame in the 1960s, passed away on January 30, 2025, in London, England. She was 78 years old.
A statement from her spokesperson confirmed her death, stating, “Marianne Faithfull, the esteemed singer, songwriter, and actress, passed away peacefully today in London, surrounded by her loving family.”
Originally from Hampstead, London, Faithfull was discovered at the age of 16 by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Her career took off in 1964 with “As Tears Go By,” a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, which spent nine weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at number nine.
Historian David Dalton stated, “Her relationship with Jagger and her lifestyle shaped some of the Stones’ most memorable songs.”
Faithfull’s relationship with Jagger, which started in 1966, was a key part of the 1960s London music scene. Her influence on the Rolling Stones was significant, inspiring songs such as “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Wild Horses.” The relationship ended in 1970, and Faithfull chronicled this period in her 1994 autobiography, detailing both the artistic fervor and personal struggles of being at the heart of the British rock movement.
Despite struggling with heroin addiction and homelessness in the 1970s, Faithfull made an impressive return to music with her 1979 album “Broken English,” which earned her a Grammy nomination. The album featured her evolved voice, now deeper and grittier, adding a raw authenticity to her music.
Faithfull’s personal life was marked by significant hurdles, including a miscarriage during her relationship with Jagger, a custody dispute resulting in a temporary separation from her only child during her marriage to John Dunbar, a suicide attempt, multiple stints in rehab centers, and a drug-related arrest in February 1967 involving the Rolling Stones, an event known as the Redlands drug bust, which generated a wave of exaggerated and often incorrect media coverage in Britain.
The Redlands bust, a notorious event of the period, occurred during a party at Richards’ house. Faithfull was discovered by police wearing only a fur rug, which was highly publicized in the tabloids. Both Jagger and Richards faced drug charges, with Jagger serving a three-month sentence for possession of amphetamines, while Richards received a one-year sentence for permitting cannabis use in his home. The sentences were later reversed on appeal, but the incident represented a significant shift in Faithfull’s public image and personal life, symbolizing the establishment’s attempt to suppress the 1960s counter-culture.
Throughout her career, Faithfull worked with a variety of artists, including David Bowie, PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, and Metallica. She continued to make music well into her later years, releasing “Negative Capability” in 2018 and “She Walks in Beauty” in 2021.
Faithfull battled several health issues, including a breast cancer diagnosis in 2006 and a 22-day hospital stay for COVID-19 in 2020. Contrary to doctors’ forecasts, she recovered and continued her musical pursuits.
Her contributions to the arts were widely acknowledged. She was awarded the World Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2009 Women’s World Awards and was made a Commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French government.
Apart from music, Faithfull also acted, sharing the stage with Glenda Jackson in Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” and playing Ophelia in “Hamlet.” She appeared in the film “The Girl on a Motorcycle” (1968) and made notable appearances in the television series “Absolutely Fabulous.”
Faithfull penned multiple autobiographies, including “Faithfull” in 1994 and “Memories, Dreams & Reflections” in 2007, offering frank reflections on her life, the music industry, and the cultural upheaval of the 1960s.
Faithfull is survived by her son, Nicholas Dunbar, from her first marriage to artist John Dunbar. She was later married to Ben Brierly and Giorgio Della Terza.
