STOCKHOLM: Marie Fredriksson, the female half of the Swedish pop duo Roxette, has died at age 61, her management agency said Tuesday.
Fredriksson formed Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986. The two released their first album the same year and went on to achieve international success in the late 1980s and 1990s with hits including “The Look” and “It Must Have Been Love.”
The Dimberg Jernberg agency said Fredriksson died Monday “of the consequences of a long illness.”
It “is with great sorrow that we must inform you that one of greatest and most-loved artists is gone,” the firm said.
On his Facebook profile, Gessle wrote: “You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer.”
“I’m proud, honored and happy to have been able to share so much of your time, talent, warmth, generosity and your sense of humor,” he wrote in English, adding “Things will never be the same.”
Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002. She underwent aggressive treatment that took its toll but ultimately was successful, her management agency said. However, she was left blind in one eye, with limited hearing and mobility, and was unable to read or write. She was also unable to speak for a considerable period of time after her treatment. Over the years she was able to make a gradual return to the world stage
Fredriksson was born in southern Sweden on May 30, 1958, and had her artistic breakthrough in 1984 in Sweden. Two years later, she formed the duo Roxette with Gessle, and in 1989, the pair had their international breakthrough with “The Look.”
They achieved international success with their albums “Look Sharp!” in 1988 and “Joyride” in 1991, and had six top two hits on the Billboard Hot 100. The pair sold 80 million records worldwide and embarked on world tours.
They were Sweden’s best-known band since ABBA in the 1970s and 1980s, and in 2003, Sweden’s Carl Gustaf XVI awarded the duo a royal award. Fredriksson made her first public appearance after her brain tumor operation to receive the honor with Gessle.
Fredriksson is survived by her husband, Mikael Bolyos, and their two children, Josefin and Oscar.
Marie Fredriksson of Swedish pop duo Roxette dies at 61
Marie Fredriksson of Swedish pop duo Roxette dies at 61
- Per Gessle: You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer
- Fredriksson formed Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986, and in 1989, the pair had their international breakthrough with The Look
Fady Jameel awarded Chevalier of France’s Order of Arts and Letters
- The Order of Arts and Letters is one of France’s highest cultural honors and is awarded to individuals whose work has contributed to the enrichment of arts and culture in France and internationally
DUBAI: Fady Jameel, chair of Saudi Arabia’s Art Jameel and vice chairman, international, at Abdul Latif Jameel, has been awarded the title of Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters (Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) by the French Ministry of Culture.
The Order of Arts and Letters is one of France’s highest cultural honors and is awarded to individuals whose work has contributed to the enrichment of arts and culture in France and internationally.
The ceremony took place in Paris last week and was led by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati, with cultural figures from the arts and cinema sectors in attendance.
Jameel’s recognition comes in acknowledgment of the Jameel family’s long-standing philanthropic engagement, including more than 80 years of charitable work and over two decades of arts-focused initiatives led by Art Jameel across Saudi Arabia, the UAE and internationally.
At Art Jameel we really believe in the role of the arts in transforming lives — a value we place at the heart of what we do daily.
Fady Jameel, Art Jameel chair
Art Jameel, founded by the Jameel family, supports artists, institutions and creative communities through exhibitions, grants, research, education and public programs. Its work has included projects that encourage cultural exchange and collaboration between the Middle East and Europe, including France.
In remarks following the ceremony, Jameel said the honor reflected the collective efforts of his family and partners in advancing cultural initiatives, building on a philanthropic legacy that began in Jeddah eight decades ago.
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture of France and our colleagues at the French Embassy and Consulate in Saudi Arabia and wish to express my appreciation to colleagues and partners, in both the private and government sectors, for their continued support and encouragement of the cultural sector,” he said in a released statement.
“From Islamic art, craft and artisanship through to the most contemporary and innovative of practices, at Art Jameel we really believe in the role of the arts in transforming lives — a value we place at the heart of what we do daily,” Jameel continued. “Looking ahead, Art Jameel remains committed to strengthening a robust art ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond, through piloting new initiatives that support students, creatives and wider public engagement with the arts, alongside nurturing international exchange.”
