Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61 following battle with cancer
The Swedish singer rose to fame with hits such as 'It Must Have Been Love'
By Steve Brown
Words: Steve Brown
Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson has died at the age of 61 following a long battle with cancer.
The Swedish singer became an international success during the 1990s with songs including ‘Joyride’, ‘The Look’ and ‘It Must Have Been Love’ – from the Julia Roberts-starring classic movie Pretty Woman.
On Monday (December 9), a statement from her family revealed the singer has sadly passed away following a ’17-year-long battle with cancer’, the BBC reported.
Her bandmate Per Gessle said in a statement: “Thank you, Marie, thanks for everything.
“You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer.
“Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful colours. You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years.
“I’m proud, honoured and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and sense of humour. All my love goes out to you and your family.”
“Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy,” added her manager Marie Dimberg.
“Her amazing voice – both strong and sensitive – and her magical live performances will be remembered by all of us who were lucky enough to witness them.
“But we also remember a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life, and woman with a very big heart who cared for everybody she met.”
Fredriksson was first diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2002 which cost her the vision in her right eye.
But after three years of treatment, she returned to public life and toured with Roxette from 2008 to 2016.
Sadly the cancer returned and her family said she had died following the return of her ‘previous illness’ this week.