As a College, we were saddened to hear last night that Old Broad Oakian Marianne Faithfull, the renowned English singer and actress, has passed away at the age of 78.
Born in London in 1946, Faithfull spent part of her youth in Reading, attending St Joseph’s College as a weekly boarder under a bursary. During this time, she joined the Progress Theatre’s student group, nurturing her early passion for the performing arts.
Her musical career began in 1964 with the release of As Tears Go By, a song written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. The track became a chart success and marked the start of her enduring influence on the music scene. She was also famously the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in the 1960s, inspiring songs such as Wild Horses and You Can’t Always Get What You Want.
As we honour her life and legacy, Marianne Faithfull remains one of our most recognisable alumni. Our deepest condolences go out to her family, friends, and fans. Faithfull’s music and memory will live on forever.
