Marie Fredriksson, the lead singer of the Swedish pop duo Roxette, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 61, her management said in a statement. Fredriksson had been struggling with cancer-related illnesses since 2002.
“It is with great sadness we have to announce that Marie Fredriksson of Roxette has passed away in the morning of December 9, following a 17-year long battle with cancer,” Dimberg Jernberg Management said.
Fredriksson shot to fame in the 90s as part of her duo with guitarist Per Gessle. Their biggest hits include “Listen to your heart” and “The look,” as well as international sensation “It must have been love,” which was included in the soundtrack of the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
The music star, who is best known for singing power ballads “It Must Have Been Love” and “Listen to Your Heart” as part of the Swedish band, died on Monday morning (9 December) after a long battle with an illness.
Fredriksson’s family announced the news, writing: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone. The singer, who performed at London’s 02 Arena in 2015, formed Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986.
