The iconic English native was grateful for her later years. She had faced heartbreak, profound loss, addiction, and health struggles throughout her life.
Marianne Faithfull recently passed away at 78. She lived a full life and found contentment in a family she never expected to have. Here’s a look at her journey.
Faithfull’s path to fame began in London, where she was discovered at a party by The Rolling Stones’ manager, Andrew Loog Oldham, in 1964. At 16, she released her hit single, “As Tears Go By,” launching a music career spanning over five decades.
Alongside her work in music, the singer pursued acting, appearing in “Girl on a Motorcycle” (1968) and performing on stage in “Three Sisters” (1967) and “Hamlet” (1969).
However, by the end of the decade, personal struggles and a deepening battle with drug addiction disrupted her career, leading to years of hardship. As her struggles with addiction continued into the early 1970s, Faithfull, who attempted suicide by drug overdose, also battled anorexia.
Her addiction worsened as she became homeless at some point. “My answer to everything was to get as stoned as possible and live on the street, which made me sort of unattractive,” Faithfull admitted in an interview. When asked if making herself unappealing felt freeing, she responded, “Yeah!”
The music star’s health issues continued decades later when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. Her publicist, Rob Partridge, stated at the time, “The disease has been quickly discovered by doctors in France. The prognosis for a return to full health is excellent.”
Despite the diagnosis, Faithfull remained optimistic, “I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team and of course I will be well again, if not better than ever.”
Partridge added that while the news had been difficult, she was in “big fighting mood and determined to beat the cancer.” Faithfull underwent successful surgery following her diagnosis.
The next year, she shared that she had been living with hepatitis C, a liver illness she was originally diagnosed with 12 years earlier. Years later, Faithfull faced another health battle when she contracted COVID-19 in 2020. She was hospitalized for 22 days as she fought the virus.
The effects of the virus lingered long after her hospitalization, impacting her memory in ways she found deeply unsettling. “It’s wild, the things I forget,” she said in a 2021 interview. “Short-term. I remember the distant past very well. It’s recent things I can’t remember. And that’s ghastly. Awful. You wouldn’t believe how awful it is.”
The “Intrigue” singer had no memory of falling ill or being taken to intensive care. “All I know is that I was in a very dark place—presumably, it was death,” said Faithfull.
After overcoming health challenges, Faithfull also endured personal heartbreak. She married British artist John Dunbar in 1965, and that same year, they welcomed their son, Nicholas Dunbar. Their marriage was brief, ending in divorce in 1966.
Soon after, she began a relationship with fellow English musician, Mick Jagger, leaving Dunbar for the rock star. During their time together, she became pregnant but lost the baby seven months into the pregnancy.
Marianne Faithfull and Mick Jagger pictured at Malborough Street court on December 18, 1969, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
When asked about the lasting impact in an interview, she acknowledged, “Yes, of course,” but made it clear she had moved on. “But please, it’s taken me years to separate myself from the Rolling Stones. I never talk about Mick any more, and I won’t talk about then [sic],” she added.
Faithfull continued searching for lasting love after Jagger. She married Ben Brierley of The Vibrators in 1979, a union that lasted six years. In 1988, she wed writer Giorgio Della Terza, though their marriage ended after three years.
She later entered a long-term relationship with French record producer François Ravard, which spanned 15 years before they parted ways in 2009. Though they broke up, they remained close, with Ravard continuing to manage her career.
Yet, no matter the relationships in her life, Faithfull’s true devotion was always to her work. “My main priority in my head was always my work. But then, of course, the men came… and it wasn’t really what I wanted, but I was too pretty to be left alone,” she said.
Still, her passion was not limited to her own career. She remained deeply engaged with music and the world around her. After decades of reviving her artistry, Faithfull settled in Paris, where she responded to the 2015 Bataclan terror attack—an event that claimed 90 lives—by writing “They Come at Night” on the very day of the tragedy.
Beyond music, family became an important part of her later years. In her living room, she displayed a drawing of a young girl who bore a striking resemblance to her—her granddaughter, Eliza Dunbar.
She was Faithfull’s third grandchild, born to her son, a financial analyst she had reconnected with over the years. The star also had two grandsons, Oscar and Noah Dunbar, with only Oscar following in her footsteps, performing in the rock band Khartoum.
Faithfull found comfort in the later years of her life, cherishing the family she never expected to have. “We went through a lot. But we came through it—and I’m proud that we did that. Because I love having a family,” she said.
Music remained a source of strength, with longtime friends offering both creative collaboration and support. Despite moments of loneliness, she made it clear she did not seek pity. “No [expletive] way. I’m so grateful that I lived long enough to get there,” she said, adding, “To get here.”
Having expressed gratitude for living long enough to find peace, Faithfull’s journey ended on January 30, 2025, as confirmed by her spokesperson.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull,” the statement read. Faithfull passed away peacefully in London, surrounded by her loving family, who expressed that she would be dearly missed.
Tributes poured in from admirers and those who knew her best. Her former flame Mick Jagger shared throwback images alongside a message on X, expressing, “I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull.” He described her as a significant part of his life, remembering her as a talented singer, actress, and cherished friend.
Fans also mourned her passing on the platform, sharing heartfelt messages. “She will be missed. RIP,” one wrote, while another added, “A beautiful woman and so talented. Another of a special generation lost.” Someone else reflected on her legacy, “She was such a big part of the 60s rip [sic].”
Faithfull’s life was one of artistry, struggle, and reinvention, leaving behind a body of work that spanned generations. Though she endured many challenges, she found fulfillment in music, family, and the moments that mattered most.