Mick Jagger leads tributes to late ex-girlfriend and Sixties pop icon Marianne Faithfull

30 January 2025, 21:46 | Updated: 30 January 2025, 23:07

Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull in the gardens at Mount St Margaret Hospital, Sydney, 27 July 1969
Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull in the gardens at Mount St Margaret Hospital, Sydney, 27 July 1969. Picture: Getty

By Josef Al Shemary

Mick Jagger and Keith Richards have led tributes to Marianne Faithfull, after the 60s pop icon and actress died aged 78.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The singer and actress died in London on Thursday with her family.

She was best known for the song Tears Go By, which reached the UK top 10 upon its release in 1964.

Marianne Faithfull.
Marianne Faithfull. Picture: Alamy

Sir Mick Jagger, who had a highly publicised relationship with Ms Faithfull in the 1960s, shared a sweet set of photographs of the singer on social media.

"I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull," The Rolling Stones frontman wrote.

Read more: Sinead O'Connor leaves children £1.7m as she urges them to 'milk' her music in final wishes

"She was so much part of my life for so long.

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

The band's legendary guitarist Sir Keith Richards, who co-wrote Faithfull's debut single and hit song 'As Tears Go By' with Jagger, also paid his condolences.

Richards shared a recent photo of the pair at dinner, and wrote: "My heartfelt condolences to Marianne’s family!

Read more: Alan Carr reveals health scare that sparked fears he would lose his eyesight

"I am so sad and will miss her!! Love, Keith."

Rolling Stones bandmate Ronnie Wood also shared a tribute, posting a photo on Instagram with the caption "Farewell dear Marianne."

Among those sharing their grief was Julian Lennon, John Lennon's son.

So very sad to hear of Marianne Faithfull’s passing," he wrote.

"A uniquely special soul, she was one of a kind—someone who truly did stand out among her contemporaries. Deepest condolences to her family and friends x.

One of the first to pay tribute to Ms Faithfull was Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess, sharing how he was 'mind-blown' when he first listened to her critically acclaimed record Broken English.

"I first heard Broken English on a school trip in 1980 and it blew my mind. She was such a free spirit and true talent," he wrote.

"We met in Amsterdam in 1994 and spent an afternoon chatting and in between interviews - going to listen to Why D’Ya Do it, right now"

Ms Faithfull's death was announced by a spokesman on Thursday.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull," the spokesman said.

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

Marianne Faithfull in 1967
Marianne Faithfull in 1967. Picture: Alamy

"She will be dearly missed."

Outside of music, Faithfull was known for her acting starring in films including The Girl on a Motorcycle, as well as theatre productions.

In the later years of her life, Faithfull provided voice work for several films, including the 2021 remake of Dune and 2023's Wild Summon.

Tributes from fans have flooded in following news of her passing.

Rolling Stones Mick Jagger with Marianne Faithfull
Rolling Stones Mick Jagger with Marianne Faithfull. Picture: Alamy

One social media user wrote: "RIP Marianne Faithfull. A cultural icon who made one of the most amazing "comeback" albums ever."

While another added: "This one stings. Marianne Faithful is gone.

"I was lucky enough to see her live once. I sat mesmerised the entire time only a few feet away right in front of her. Rest in power, icon."

Faithfull was famously found wearing nothing except a rug at an infamous drugs bust at Rolling Stones guitarist Richards' country house, Redlands, in 1967.

Following her split with Sir Mick, Faithfull spent two years on the streets of Soho while addicted to heroin before living in a squat.

She returned to release an album, Broken English, in 1979, which is now regarded as a classic.

Marianne Faithfull
Marianne Faithfull. Picture: Alamy

Faithfull re-invented herself in 1987 as a jazz and blues singer, with the critically acclaimed Strange Weather, and in the same decade went into rehab.

Recently she has enjoyed a resurgence and is said to be admired by the likes of Kate Moss and Courtney Love.

The daughter of a British military officer and an Austro-Hungarian Jewish baroness, Faithfull recently appeared in Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette.

She made guest star appearances as God in the TV sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.

Early films included I'll Never Forget What's 'Is Name, alongside Orson Welles, and Girl On A Motorcycle.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Tram crash Mosley Street Manchester where 3 year old girl was killed. Manchester UK Picture credit garyroberts/worldwidefeatures.com

Police hunt van driver after girl, 3, dies following tram and vehicle crash in Manchester

A resident casts a vote at a polling station in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, during the German national election. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

German voters head to the polls in high-stakes election set to impact Europe

Juba, South Sudan. 03rd Feb, 2023. Pope Francis, seated on a wheelchair, arrives to attend a meeting with authorities, leaders of civil society and the diplomatic corps, in the garden of the Presidential Palace in Juba, South Sudan on February 03, 2023.

Pope Francis had a 'tranquil' night in hospital following blood transfusion, Vatican says

The UK will unveil new sanctions to "turn the screws" on Russia as it marks three years since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

UK to ‘turn the screws’ on Russia with new sanctions on three-year anniversary of Ukraine war

Netanyahu says the prisoners that were meant to be released today won't be until the next group of hostages is handed over .

Release of 602 Palestinian prisoners delayed until Israeli hostages released 'without humiliating ceremonies', Netanyahu says

The M4 and the M48 have both been closed this evening after multiple people reported seeing a body on the road.

Two major motorways closed after human remains found on the road with drivers stuck for hours

The heavy iron roof at the Real Plaza Trujillo shopping centre, in the La Libertad region, fell onto dozens of people who were at the site.

Six people killed and 78 injured as Peru shopping centre food court roof collapsed in horror incident

Two guards were killed when armed assailants helped Amra escape from a prison convoy in Normandy last May, prompting a high-profile search.

Fugitive French prisoner 'the Fly' who staged deadly escape and prompted international hunt arrested in Romania

Yellow weather warning issued in the UK

Yellow warning issued as UK set to be battered by wind and rain in ‘severe weather’ on Sunday

Pope Francis.

Pope in 'critical condition' after suffering respiratory crisis, the Vatican says

French firefighters (C) operate near the site of a bladed weapon attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and wounding two municipal police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025.

One killed and several police officers injured in suspected terror attack in France

A police officer who removed a monitored offender's tag so that she could have a secret relationship with him has been jailed.

Police officer jailed after removing burglar’s tag to have secret sexual relationship with him

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell have called on the Government to rethink proposals to relax copyright rules in a bid to protect creative talent from artificial intelligence (AI).

Sir Elton John and Simon Cowell unite behind copyright campaign to protect creative talent from US AI firms

Scratchcard.

Thieves win half a million on lottery ticket bought with stolen credit card

A police officer guards at the cordoned off Holocaust memorial after a man was attacked at the memorial site in Berlin, Germany, Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.

Suspect in Berlin Holocaust Memorial stabbing wanted to kill Jewish people, police say

A prison guard..

Prisoners forced to give birth while handcuffed to male officers