Today, fans of the lead singer for the pop-rock duo Marie Fredriksson, Roxette, died at the age of 61.
Dimberg Jernberg Management, who manages Roxette, gave a press release regarding her death. She battled 17 years her cancer.
The management shared on Twitter her name, year of birth, and year of death. Roxette has been for her song “It Must Have Been Love” from the soundtrack of the blockbuster Pretty Woman, a 1990’s movie starred by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The ballad was so powerful that it got certified gold in 6 countries and a block of platinum in Australia. The song proves to be the most memorable hits in those years.
Fredriksson and her groupmate Per Gessle also sung songs, and three of them got the top spot in the US. These are “Listen to Your Heart,” “Joyride,” and “The Look.”
Fredriksson first learned about her brain tumor in 2002 and have gone under aggressive treatment. It almost took its toll but was successful at the end. On the other hand, one eye was blinded, and she had limited hearing and mobility and couldn’t read or even write. After the treatment, she couldn’t talk for a long time. But she was still brave enough to overcome all these and gradually also went back to the stage.
Gessle shared on his Twitter her photo with the caption, “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 honored to have met your talent+generosity. All my love goes to you+your family. Things will never be the same.”
He also thanked her for everything. “You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer,” he said in a statement. “Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful (colors). You were the most wonderful friend for over 40 years.”
Boy George also sent his condolences through Twitter and said Marie Fredriksson from Roxette has died after a battle with cancer. RIP RIP and condolences to her family, friends, and fans. I hate f* cancer!!
Fredriksson was born in Sweden in got her first breakthrough in 1984. Roxette gained international fame with their albums “Look Sharp” and “Joyride” in 1988 and 1991 consecutively.
Overall, this duo sold more than 80 million records all over the world and went on world tours. Right next to ABBA, they were the best-known band. They even received a royal award from Carl Gustaf XVI of Sweden.
She left a husband, Mikael Bolyos, and two children, Josefin and Oscar.
“Marie leaves us a grand musical legacy. 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,” her management company further released. “But we also remember a wonderful person with a huge appetite for life, and a woman with a huge heart who cared for everybody she met.”
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