Childhood and Education Journey of Sinéad O'Connor in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Sinéad O'Connor. A timeline of key moments.

Sinéad O'Connor (Shuhada' Sadaqat) was a celebrated Irish singer-songwriter and activist known for her powerful vocals and outspoken views. She gained international recognition with her debut album, *The Lion and the Cobra* (1987). Her most commercially successful album, *I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got* (1990), sold millions globally and featured the hit single "Nothing Compares 2 U," which topped the Billboard charts. O'Connor was known for her distinctive shaved head and her willingness to challenge societal norms and express her beliefs, often generating controversy.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1939: Birth of Johanna Marie O'Grady

In 1939, Johanna Marie O'Grady, Sinéad O'Connor's mother, was born.

1960: Marriage of Parents

In 1960, John Oliver "Seán" O'Connor and Johanna Marie O'Grady were married in Dublin.

December 1966: Sinéad O'Connor Born

In December 1966, Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor was born in Dublin, Ireland, named after Sinéad de Valera and Saint Bernadette of Lourdes.

1976: Father's marriage

In 1976, Sinéad O'Connor's father married Viola Margaret Suiter in Alexandria, Virginia, United States.

1976: The original Photo

In 1976, the photograph of Pope John Paul II, which O'Connor tore up, was taken.

1979: Moved to live with her father

In 1979, at age 13, O'Connor went to live with her father after he returned to Ireland.

1984: Joined Ton Ton Macoute

In mid-1984, O'Connor met Colm Farrelly through an ad she placed in Hot Press. Together they recruited a few other members and formed a band, Ton Ton Macoute.

February 1985: Death of Sinéad O'Connor's Mother

In February 1985, O'Connor's mother died in a car accident at the age of 45.

1985: Attended Newtown School

In 1985, Sinéad O'Connor did not sit the Leaving Certificate.

1985: Did not sit Leaving Certificate

Sinéad O'Connor attended Maryfield College in Drumcondra, and Newtown School in Waterford for fifth and sixth year as a boarder, but did not sit the Leaving Certificate in 1985.

1990: Boycott of National Anthem and Criticism

In 1990, O'Connor stated she would not perform if the United States national anthem was played before her concerts due to her belief that the American music industry was racist. This led to attacks, criticism from celebrities like Frank Sinatra, and protests where her albums were steamrolled.

October 1992: Saturday Night Live Protest

On October 3, 1992, O'Connor tore up a photograph of Pope John Paul II on Saturday Night Live as a protest against the Roman Catholic Church's handling of child abuse, sparking significant controversy.

Loading Video...

May 1993: Guardian Interview

In May 1993, O'Connor reported in an interview with The Guardian that she was studying bel canto singing and that the lessons were the only therapy she was receiving.

June 1993: Public Letter in The Irish Times

In June 1993, O'Connor wrote a public letter in The Irish Times detailing her family issues and accusations of child abuse.

1995: Touring and Pregnancy

In 1995, O'Connor toured with Lollapalooza but dropped out when she became pregnant with her second child.

December 1999: Suicide Attempt

On December 8, 1999, Sinéad O'Connor attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday, an event she later discussed publicly.

1999: Ordination as Mother Bernadette Mary

In 1999, Sinéad O'Connor was ordained as a priest by Bishop Michael Cox of an Independent Catholic church, taking the religious name Mother Bernadette Mary. This occurred after she expressed a desire to be a Catholic priest on The Late Late Show.

2000: Claim of Being Lesbian

In 2000, during an interview in Curve, Sinéad O'Connor stated that she was a lesbian, which later became a point of retraction and re-evaluation in her public statements.

October 2002: Christian Faith and Overcoming Abuse

In October 2002, Sinéad O'Connor credited her Christian faith with giving her the strength to overcome the effects of her childhood abuse.

2003: Music Break Due to Fibromyalgia

In 2003, Sinéad O'Connor took a break from music due to the pain and fatigue caused by fibromyalgia.

2005: Return to Music

In 2005, Sinéad O'Connor returned to making music after taking a break from 2003 due to fibromyalgia.

2005: Reassessment of Sexuality

In 2005, Sinéad O'Connor told Entertainment Weekly that she considered herself "three-quarters heterosexual, a quarter gay", revising her earlier statement about being a lesbian.

July 2007: Affirmation of Christian Beliefs

In July 2007, Sinéad O'Connor stated in an interview with Christianity Today that she considered herself a Christian and believed in the core Christian concepts of the Trinity and Jesus Christ.

October 2007: Disclosure of Suicide Attempt and Bipolar Disorder

On an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show broadcast in October 2007, Sinéad O'Connor disclosed that she had attempted suicide on her 33rd birthday and had since been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

2007: Purchase of Bray Home

In 2007, Sinéad O'Connor purchased a large Victorian seafront house in Bray, County Wicklow, near Dublin, marking a significant move in her life and career at that time.

August 2015: Hysterectomy and Subsequent Health Issues

In August 2015, Sinéad O'Connor announced that she was to undergo a hysterectomy due to gynaecological problems. She later attributed her subsequent mental health issues to the hospital's refusal to administer hormone replacement therapy post-operation, causing surgical menopause.

2015: Comments on British Rule in Ireland

In a 2015 interview with the BBC, Sinéad O'Connor expressed the controversial opinion that Ireland might have been better off remaining under British rule due to the influence of the Church.

2016: Reaction to Brexit

Following the Brexit referendum in 2016, Sinéad O'Connor posted on Facebook that "Ireland is officially no longer owned by Britain."

2016: Rehabilitation for Cannabis Addiction

In 2016, Sinéad O'Connor, a cannabis smoker for 30 years, entered a rehabilitation center to address her addiction.

August 2017: Video About Mental Health Struggles

In August 2017, Sinéad O'Connor posted a 12-minute video on Facebook detailing her feelings of loneliness and suicidal thoughts since losing custody of her son, Shane.

August 2018: Request for Excommunication

In August 2018, Sinéad O'Connor, via an open letter, asked Pope Francis to issue a certificate of excommunication to her, having previously made the same request to Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.

October 2018: Conversion to Islam

In October 2018, Sinéad O'Connor converted to Islam, calling it the "natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian's journey". She changed her name to Shuhada' Davitt, thanked fellow Muslims, and uploaded a video of herself reciting the adhan. She also posted photos wearing a hijab. The conversion happened in October 2018.

2018: Conversion to Islam

In 2018, O'Connor converted to Islam and adopted the name Shuhada' Sadaqat, while continuing to perform and record under her birth name.

February 2020: Agoraphobia Diagnosis

In February 2020, Sinéad O'Connor revealed that she had been diagnosed with agoraphobia. She had also previously been diagnosed with complex post-traumatic stress disorder and borderline personality disorder.

2021: Memoir Release

In 2021, O'Connor wrote in her memoir, Rememberings, that she was regularly beaten by her mother.

Rememberings

Check it on Amazon

2021: Treatment at St Patrick's University Hospital

In 2021, Sinéad O'Connor commented that she had spent much of the last six years in St Patrick's University Hospital in Dublin, expressing gratitude for the help she received.

2021: Sale of Bray Property

In 2021, Sinéad O'Connor sold her Victorian seafront house in Bray, County Wicklow, after temporarily relocating to her holiday home.

2022: Sale of Knockananna House

In 2022, Sinéad O'Connor sold her house on the main street of Knockananna, County Wicklow, adding another chapter to her residential history.

July 2023: Sinéad O'Connor's Death

In July 2023, Sinéad O'Connor, the Irish singer, songwriter, and activist, passed away.

July 2023: Death in London

Sinéad O'Connor passed away on July 26, 2023, at the age of 56 in her flat in Herne Hill, south London. The cause of death was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchial asthma.