Marianne Faithfull, beloved British singer, songwriter, and actress who deeply influenced the Rolling Stones, has died peacefully in London at age 78, surrounded by family, according to Republic Media.

Photo Credit: Marianne Faithfull by A. Vente, 1966 / CC by 3.0

Rising to fame at just 16, Faithfull's 1964 breakthrough hit "As Tears Go By" - one of the first songs written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards - launched her enduring connection with the Rolling Stones. She inspired numerous Stones classics, including "Sympathy for the Devil," "Wild Horses," and "You Can't Always Get What You Want."

Her relationship with Mick Jagger from 1966 made them one of "Swinging London's" most prominent couples. However, a notorious 1967 drug bust involving the Stones led to tabloid scrutiny that would impact her for years to come.

Despite facing significant personal challenges, including heroin addiction and homelessness in the early 1970s, Faithfull demonstrated remarkable resilience. By her early 30s, she had reinvented herself with the acclaimed album "Broken English."

Beyond music, Faithfull built a successful acting career, appearing in productions ranging from stage classics like "Hamlet" and "Three Sisters" to films such as "Marie Antoinette" and the TV series "Absolutely Fabulous."

Mick Jagger paid tribute on Instagram: "She was so much a part of my life for so long. She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer, and a great actress."

Her legacy encompasses not only her memorable hits like "Come Stay with Me" and "Summer Nights," but also her profound influence on British pop culture and her inspiring story of survival and artistic reinvention.

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