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Roxette Singer Marie Fredriksson Dies Aged 61 After Battling Long Illness

Roxette Singer Marie Fredriksson Dies Aged 61 After Battling Long Illness

The Swedish pop star who sang 'It Must Have Been Love' has sadly passed away

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson had died at the age of 61, following a battle with a long-term illness.

The Swedish pop star, who created Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986, passed away on Monday morning with her family confirming the news in a statement.

They wrote: "Marie Fredriksson is most mourned by her husband Mikael Bolyos and their two children. It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone.

"Marie Fredriksson died on the morning of December 9 in the suites of her previous illness."

Bandmate Per shared an emotional post on Twitter following the news:

Roxette had their international breakthrough in 1989, finding themselves on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The duo were responsible for power ballads 'Listen To Your Heart' and 'It Must Have Been Love'.

Fans of Marie took to Twitter, with one writing: "I do not know what to say. You two were always the best. I will always love her, just as I love you. I'm really sorry."

Another added: "I'm so sad... Thank you both for accompanying me during my teenage years. My first love is related to your songs forever. Goodbye Marie."

A third commented: "So very sorry for your loss - for all our losses - she was amazing."

Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle.
PA

Marie was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2002 after she fainted at home. At the time, doctors believed she only had a 20 percent chance of survival but she managed to recover.

Roxette then took a 17-year break for Marie to focus on her health before getting back together and touring in 2011.

By 2016, Marie was forced to give up music completely after medics explained that she would no longer be able to tour and record.

Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle in Cologne, Germany, on 24 June 2015.
PA

In 2018, Per said: "She's been amazing. I don't know how many hundreds of concerts we did over the last five years and it was entirely thanks to her energy that it was possible to do. Her doctor said she will never pallet that, but she [palleted] it - for several years."

According to Dimberg Jernberg Management, the funeral will take place in silence with only Marie's closest family present.

RIP.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, Music