Roxette star Marie Fredriksson dies at 61

Marie Fredriksson, the lead singer of Swedish pop duo sensation Roxette, has died after a prolonged illness on Monday, her manager said Tuesday. Fredriksson was 61.

Her family said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone.”

In September 2002, Fredriksson had a seizure in her bathroom and suffered a cracked skull. A subsequent MRI scan revealed she had a brain tumour, and she was given a 25% chance of survival. She survived, but had health problems as a result of radiation therapy.

By 2016, the illness had taken its control and doctors advised her for complete rest.

Fredriksson created Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986, the Bandmate Per shared an emotional post on Twitter following the news:

“Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days+nights in my tiny apartment sharing impossible dreams. And what a dream we eventually got to share! I’m honoured to have met your talent+generosity. All my love goes to you+your family. Things will never be the same.”

The duo were friends for more than 40 years, Gessle said.

Announcing her death, Dimberg Jernberg Management described Fredriksson as “a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life”.

“Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy,” the company said in a statement.

“Her amazing voice — both strong and sensitive — and her magical live performances will be remembered by all of us who was lucky enough to witness them.”