Sir Mick Jagger has paid an emotional tribute to his former girlfriend and 1960s music icon Marianne Faithfull, who has died at the age of 78.
The Rolling Stones frontman shared his grief on social media following the announcement of Faithfull’s death in London on Thursday.
“I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull,” Jagger wrote on Instagram. “She was so much part of my life for so long.”
The 81-year-old rock legend added: “She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered.”
Faithfull’s death was confirmed by her family in a statement, which said she “passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family”.
The singer and actress, who dated Jagger from 1966 to 1970, first rose to fame as a teenager with the Jagger-penned hit As Tears Go By.
Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull pictured in the 1960s
PA
Jagger’s social media tribute was accompanied by a series of vintage photographs of the pair from their time together in the 1960s.
His Rolling Stones bandmates also shared their condolences, with Keith Richards posting a recent photo of himself with Faithfull.
“My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family! I’m so sad and will miss her!!” Richards wrote on Instagram, showing an image of the pair sharing a drink together.
Ronnie Wood, who joined the Stones after Faithfull and Jagger’s relationship had ended, posted a photo of himself with Richards and Faithfull in a studio, simply writing: “Farewell dear Marianne.”
Mick Jagger has paid tribute to Marianne Faithfull following her death
PA
The tributes highlighted the enduring connection between Faithfull and the band, with whom she maintained friendships long after her romantic relationship with Jagger ended.
Faithfull and Jagger’s relationship defined an era of British music in the 1960s, beginning when she was discovered by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham in 1964.
Their romance blossomed in 1966 after Jagger’s split from model Chrissie Shrimpton, leading to a highly publicised relationship that lasted until 1970.
During their time together, Faithfull co-wrote Sister Morphine with Jagger and Richards for the Rolling Stones’ 1971 album Sticky Fingers.
The couple suffered personal tragedy in 1968 when Faithfull experienced a miscarriage while eight months pregnant with their daughter, whom they had named Corrina.
Following their split in 1970, Faithfull struggled with addiction and spent two years living on the streets of Soho before making a remarkable comeback with her acclaimed 1979 album Broken English.
Faithfull’s musical journey began when she recorded As Tears Go By in 1964, which reached the UK Top 10 and launched her career.
Her self-titled debut album in 1965 featured several hits, including Come And Stay With Me and This Little Bird.
Beyond music, Faithfull established herself as an accomplished actress, appearing in films including The Girl on a Motorcycle with Alain Delon and making memorable television appearances, including a role as God in Absolutely Fabulous.
Her final album, released in 2021, was an experimental collaboration with Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds’ Warren Ellis, titled She Walks In Beauty.
Recently, she had provided voice work for several films, including the 2021 remake of Dune where she voiced a Bene Gesserit Ancestor.
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Among those paying tribute was Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans, who recalled first hearing her album Broken English on a school trip in 1980.
“She was such a free spirit and true talent,” Burgess wrote on social media.
Julian Lennon, John Lennon’s son, described her as “a uniquely special soul” who “truly did stand out among her contemporaries”.
The official David Bowie account reposted Faithfull’s own tribute to Bowie following his death in 2016, noting it “seemed somehow appropriate” to share her words again.
Iggy Pop posted a tribute on Instagram calling her “a gemstone”, alongside the cover of her Broken English album.
In recent years, Faithfull had enjoyed a resurgence and was admired by contemporary artists including Kate Moss and Courtney Love.