Marie Fredriksson Dead: Roxette Star Dies After 17 Year Battle With Brain Cancer

It’s the end of an era. Swedish Roxette singer Marie Fredriksson passed away on Monday morning after a 17-year-long battle with brain cancer.

Fans woke up to the news of her demise and condolences have been pouring for Fredriksson’s family. Per Gessle, her bandmate commented on Fredriksson’s passing away and said: “Things will never be the same”.

While her previous illness is attributed to her untimely death, the pop star stopped touring three years ago citing medical issues. It is said that the singer will be buried in silence, and only close family members will be allowed at the time of burial. The 61-year-old star is survived by her husband, Mikael Bolyos, and her two kids.

The pop star was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2002, after she collapsed at home. On being diagnosed with a brain tumor; Fredriksson had to undergo grueling sessions of chemotherapy which left her blind in one eye, with limiting hearing and a host of other issues. The pain she endured translated into a record solo titled “The Change”.

In 2005, Fredriksson, however, released a rather positive note on her health— she said she was feeling healthy and no longer required treatment.

Closely about a decade later, in 2016, Fredriksson released a statement that she would not be touring moving forward, owing to a medical warning. Her final performance was a gig on January 31, during the Roxette 30th Anniversary Tour in concert, Johannesburg, South Africa. Soon after a facebook post revealed that Roxette was supposed to feature in the last leg of the massive RoXXXette 30th anniversary on June 3. But, Fredriksson’s health implications demanded a change of plan.

Commenting on the same, Fredriksson said, “It's been an amazing 30 years! I feel nothing but joy and happiness when I look back on the Roxette world tours. All our shows and memories over the years will forever be a big part of my life.”

A statement released by the management read, “Marie Fredriksson is most mourned by her husband Mikael Bolyos and their two children. It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone.”