Dolores O’Riordan, lead singer of the popular Irish rock band the Cranberries, has passed away at the age of 46.
Reps for O’ Riordan confirmed the news of her death just moments ago.
O’Riordan’s passing has been described as “sudden,” and the cause of death is currently unknown to the public.
The singer was reportedly in London for a recording session and was rushed to a local hospital, where medical staff were unable to resuscitate her.
Known for her distinctive mezzo-soprano voice, O’Riordan replaced the Cranberries original lead singer after a successful audition in 1990.
During her time as frontwoman, the band enjoyed tremendous commercial success and rose to international fame.
O’Riordan and her bandmates recorded 8 top-20 hits, including such perennially popular tunes as “Linger,” “Zombie,” and “Dreams.”
The band split up in 2003 but reunited after a several-year hiatus, during which O’Riordan recorded two solo albums.
O’Riordan’s frequently-changing style made her a ’90s style icon, and the Cranberries were often name-checked in the pop culture of the time, including a memorable mention in the comedy classic Clueless.
In recent years, the singer made tabloid headlines several times as a result of her tumultuous personal life.
In 2014, O’Riordan was arrested for assaulting a stewardess and a police officer aboard an Aer Lingus flight to New York.
That same year, she split from her husband after 20 years of marriage.
In 2017, the Cranberries released an acoustic album and embarked on an intercontinental tour that was cut short due to O’Riordan’s persistent back problems.
While her band’s popularity peaked in the 1990s, O’Riordan remained an in-demand performer and a popular figure in Ireland until her death.
She was invited to perform at the Vatican on several occasions, and in 2006, she was listed as one of the ten richest women in Ireland.
Loving tributes from friends and fans made O’Riordan a top trending topic on Twitter within minutes of when news of her death went public.
She is survived by two children.
Our thoughts go out to O’Riordan’s family during this difficult time.