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British singer and actress Marianne Faithfull has died at the age of 78. 

The 1960s icon and Rolling Stones muse achieved popularity following the release of her hit song As Tears Go By, which peaked at No.9 on the UK singles chart. She went on to star in films such as 1968’s The Girl on a Motorcycle, 1969’s Hamlet, 1995’s Moondance, and 2006’s Marie Antoinette. 

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” a spokesperson said in a statement on Friday (NZ time). 

“Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. 

“She will be dearly missed.” 

Marianne Faithfull attending the wedding of singer Gene Pitney on January 28, 1967. Photo / Getty Images 

Faithfull famously dated Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger from 1966 to 1970, with the two becoming an “it” couple of London’s swinging 60s. The pair, who suffered a miscarriage in 1968, had a notoriously turbulent relationship, with Faithfull believed to have inspired the iconic Rolling Stones’ tracks Wild Horses and You Can’t Always Get What You Want. 

Her 1964 hit As Tears Go By marked the first song ever written by Jagger and Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, while her eponymous debut album in 1965 and 1966’s North Country Maid propelled her popularity in the United States — making her a central figure of the “British Invasion”. 

Her 1979 album Broken English received critical acclaim and earned Faithfull her first and only Grammy nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. 

Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull attended court on May 29, 1969 to face charges of marijuana possession. The couple, arrested during a police raid on Jagger's apartment, were released on a $120 bond. Photo / Getty Images 

The singer-songwriter suffered health issues throughout her career. She battled heroin addiction and eating disorders in the 1970s, and in 2004 was hospitalised for exhaustion after collapsing on stage in Italy. 

In 2006, Faithfull announced she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, forcing the postponement of a US and European tour. Less than two months after revealing her diagnosis, Faithfull said she had made a full recovery. 

In April 2020, it was reported Faithfull had been admitted to a London hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. She also suffered from emphysema after decades of smoking. 

She released seven studio albums post-2000, the last of which were 2018’s Negative Capability and her final project, She Walks in Beauty, in 2021: one year after her battle with Covid-19. In 2009, Faithfull was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women’s World Awards, and in 2011 she was made a commandeur of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by France. 

The singer married and divorced three times. She wed artist and the father of her child, John Dunbar, in 1965, followed by Ben Brierly of punk band the Vibrators in 1979. Her last marriage was to actor Giorgio Della Terza from 1988 to 1991. 

Faithfull is survived by her son Nicholas Dunbar, 59, and three grandchildren. 

Jagger ‘saddened’ by death of ‘wonderful friend’ 

The Rolling Stones led tributes to Faithfull following the news of her death, with Jagger, her former partner, taking to social media to share his devastation. 

“I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull. She was so much part of my life for so long,” the 81-year-old said in a statement, alongside a carousel of photos. 

“She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.” 

Guitarist Keith Richards also penned a short tribute on Instagram, writing: “My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I am so sad and will miss her! Love, Keith.” 

Fellow Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood also acknowledged Faithfull’s death with two posts to his Instagram feed, captioned, “Farewell dear Marianne” and “Marianne will be dearly missed. Bless her.”