Sinéad O'Connor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sinéad O'Connor
O'Connor performing in 2014
Born	Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor (1966-12-08)8 December 1966 Dublin, Ireland
Died	July 2023 (aged 56)
Other names	Magda Davitt Shuhada Sadaqat
Works	Discography
Spouse(s)	John Reynolds (1989–1991) Nick Sommerlad (2001–2002) Steve Cooney (2010–2011) Barry Herridge (2011–2011)
Partner(s)	Peter Gabriel (1992–1993) Richard Heslop (1994–1995) John Waters (1995–1996) Dónal Lunny (2004) Frank Bonadio (2006–2007)
Musical career
Genres	Alternative rock pop rock folk rock
Occupation(s)	Singer musician songwriter
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Years active	1986–2023
Labels	Ensign Chrysalis Vanguard Chocolate and Vanilla One Little Indian Nettwerk

Shuhada' Sadaqat (born Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor; 8 December 1966 – July 2023), known by her birth name, was an Irish singer and musician. Her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, came out in 1987 and was popular around the world.

Her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990), was a huge success. It sold over seven million copies worldwide. The most famous song from it was "Nothing Compares 2 U", written by Prince. This song was named the number one world single in 1990.

Sinéad released ten studio albums during her career. Many of them became very popular. She also sang songs for movies and worked with many other artists. She performed at concerts to raise money for good causes. Her book, Rememberings, published in 2021, was a best seller.

Throughout her music career, she was always honest about her beliefs and her journey. She spoke out about important topics like human rights and standing up for what is right. In 2017, she changed her name to Magda Davitt. After becoming a Muslim in 2018, she changed it again to Shuhada' Sadaqat. However, she kept using her birth name for her music.

Sinéad O'Connor's Early Life

Sinéad O'Connor was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 8 December 1966. She was the third of five children. Her father was a structural engineer and later a lawyer. Her mother passed away in a car accident in 1985 when Sinéad was eighteen.

When she was 15, Sinéad had some trouble at school. She was sent to a special training center for about eighteen months. While there, she really improved her writing and music skills. This time helped her grow as an artist.

Her Music Career

Starting Out in Music

At the training center, a volunteer heard Sinéad singing. This volunteer's brother, Paul Byrne, was a drummer for a band called In Tua Nua. Sinéad recorded a song with them, but she was too young to join the band.

Later, in 1984, she found a band called Ton Ton Macoute. They moved to Dublin, and their performances were very well-liked. Sinéad's singing and stage presence were the strongest parts of the band.

Sinéad's talent caught the attention of the music industry. She signed with Ensign Records. She also got an experienced manager, Fachtna Ó Ceallaigh. Her first big job was singing on the song "Heroine" for a movie soundtrack. She co-wrote this song with the Edge, a guitarist from the band U2.

Her First Albums

Her first album, The Lion and the Cobra, came out in 1987. It was a big hit and earned a Grammy nomination. The song "Mandinka" was very popular on college radio in the United States. She sang "Mandinka" on Late Night with David Letterman in 1988, which was her first time on US television.

Sinéad said that artists like Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Bob Marley influenced her first album. In 1989, she sang on the album Mind Bomb by The The. She also starred in and wrote music for the film Hush-a-Bye-Baby.

Her second album, I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got (1990), received great reviews. People loved her voice and original songs. She was also known for her unique look, especially her shaved head.

This album included her famous song "Nothing Compares 2 U". This song was originally written by Prince.

Music in the 1990s

In 1990, Sinéad joined many other artists for a big concert in Berlin. She sang on Roger Waters' performance of The Wall. She also sang a cover of Elton John's "Sacrifice" for a tribute album.

She released Am I Not Your Girl?, an album of classic songs she grew up listening to. This album did not do as well as her previous work.

In 1990, she was criticized for saying she would not perform if the United States national anthem was played before her concerts. She also chose to remove her name from Grammy Award nominations.

Sinéad O'Connor performing in Poznań in 2007

In 1992, she sang backing vocals and shared vocals on songs with Peter Gabriel for his album Us. She also joined him on his tour in 1993.

The soundtrack for the 1993 film In the Name of the Father featured Sinéad's song "You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart".

Her album Universal Mother (1994) did not become as popular as her earlier work. However, the music videos for "Fire on Babylon" and "Famine" were nominated for Grammy Awards. She toured in 1995 but stopped when she became pregnant. The Gospel Oak EP came out in 1997.

In 1997, she appeared in the film The Butcher Boy, playing the Virgin Mary.

Music in the 2000s

Faith and Courage was released in 2000. It included the song "No Man's Woman" and featured other artists like Wyclef Jean.

In 2002, her album Sean-Nós Nua included a cover of the Canadian folk song "Peggy Gordon".

In 2003, she contributed a song to a Dolly Parton tribute album. She also sang on three songs for Massive Attack's album 100th Window. After this, she released her double album, She Who Dwells in the Secret Place of the Most High Shall Abide Under the Shadow of the Almighty.

In 2005, a collection of her guest appearances, Collaborations, was released. After a short break, she released the reggae album Throw Down Your Arms in late 2005.

In 2007, Sinéad released Theology, an album of spiritual songs. She toured a lot in Europe and North America to promote it.

Music in the 2010s

In 2010, Sinéad performed a duet with R&B singer Mary J. Blige. The money from this song went to an organization called GEMS, which helps girls.

In 2012, her song "Lay Your Head Down" was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song.

O'Connor at "The Music in My Head" on 13 June 2008 in The Hague

She released a new album in 2012 called How About I Be Me (and You Be You)?. She planned a big tour but had to cancel it due to personal challenges. She started touring again in 2013.

In 2014, she released another album called I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss. The title was inspired by a campaign to encourage girls to be leaders. The first song from the album was "Take Me to Church".

In November 2014, Sinéad joined the charity supergroup Band Aid 30. They recorded a new version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" to raise money for the West African Ebola virus epidemic.

Music in the 2020s

On 4 June 2021, Sinéad O'Connor announced she was retiring from music. However, she later said this was a quick reaction and that she would still do her planned 2022 tour.

On 1 June 2021, her book Rememberings was released. It was praised by critics and listed as one of the best books of the year.

On 7 January 2022, her son, Shane, passed away at 17. She then canceled her 2022 tour and postponed her album No Veteran Dies Alone. In February 2023, she released a new version of "The Skye Boat Song", which is the theme song for the TV show Outlander.

Sinéad O'Connor's Personal Journey

Her Name

In 2017, she changed her legal name to Magda Davitt. She said she wanted to be free of names that felt old or traditional. In October 2018, she became a Muslim and changed her name to Shuhada. She also changed her last name to Sadaqat.

Her Look

Sinéad was known for her shaved head. She said she shaved it because it made her feel like herself. She even said she would keep it shaved when she was an old lady.

Marriages and Children

Sinéad O'Connor had four children and was married four times. Her first son, Jake, was born in 1987. She married his father, music producer John Reynolds, in 1989.

She had her daughter, Brigidine Roisin Waters, in 1996. After some discussions, Sinéad agreed for Roisin to live in Dublin with her father, Irish journalist John Waters.

In 2001, Sinéad married British journalist Nick Sommerlad. The marriage ended in 2002. She had her third child, son Shane, in 2004. In 2006, she had her fourth child, Yeshua Francis Neil Bonadio.

Her third marriage was to her friend and collaborator Steve Cooney in 2010. They separated in 2011. Her fourth marriage was to Irish therapist Barry Herridge in 2011. This marriage lasted only a short time.

In 2015, her first grandson was born to her son Jake. Sadly, on 7 January 2022, her 17-year-old son Shane passed away.

Her Beliefs

Sinéad O'Connor was a strong supporter of a united Ireland. She believed Ireland should be one country.

In the late 1990s, a bishop from an independent church ordained Sinéad as a priest. She said she wished to be called Mother Bernadette Mary.

In October 2018, Sinéad converted to Islam. She said it felt like the natural end of her spiritual journey. She thanked other Muslims for their support and shared videos of herself reciting the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer. She also posted photos of herself wearing a hijab.

Her Book

Sinéad O'Connor's book, Rememberings, was published in June 2021. Reviewers said it was a "brave" and "humorous" book, full of heart.

Her Passing

It was reported on 26 July 2023 that Sinéad O'Connor had passed away.

Discography

• 1987: The Lion and the Cobra
• 1990: I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
• 1992: Am I Not Your Girl?
• 1994: Universal Mother
• 2000: Faith and Courage
• 2002: Sean-Nós Nua
• 2005: Throw Down Your Arms
• 2007: Theology
• 2012: How About I Be Me (and You Be You)?
• 2014: I'm Not Bossy, I'm the Boss

Awards

See also

In Spanish: Sinéad O'Connor para niños