As the world mourns the loss of the legendary Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, her legacy continues to make headlines. In a 2021 interview with People magazine, O’Connor revealed a shocking detail about her plans for after her death: she instructed her children to call her accountant before calling 911.
Why such an unusual request? O’Connor knew the value of her music and financial legacy, and wanted to ensure that her children would be able to protect it. “See, when the artists are dead, they’re much more valuable than when they’re alive,” she explained. “That’s why I’ve always instructed my children since they were very small, ‘If your mother drops dead tomorrow, before you called 911, call my accountant and make sure the record companies don’t start releasing my records and not telling you where the money is.'”
It’s a sobering thought, and one that speaks to the complicated relationship between artists, their work, and the music industry. O’Connor was no stranger to this dynamic, having famously torn up a photo of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live” in protest of the Catholic Church’s handling of sexual abuse scandals. Her music was often political and deeply personal, reflecting her views on spirituality, history, and philosophy.
O’Connor’s legacy will continue to inspire and generate controversy for years to come. As we mourn her passing, let us also recall her message of speaking truth to power and fighting for our beliefs.
Rest in peace, Sinéad O’Connor.
Sources
https://www.insider.com/sinad-oconnor-told-children-call-accountant-in-event-of-death-2023-7
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/28/entertainment/sinead-oconnor-death-instructions/index.html
