Roxette Singer Marie Fredriksson Dies Aged 61

The lead singer of Swedish pop duo Roxette, Marie Fredriksson, who shot to global fame in the 1990s with hits like “It must have been love” has died at the age of  61 after a long fight with cancer.

Fredriksson was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2002 but went into remission and returned to the studio in 2010.

Her manager disclosed this on Tuesday according to AFP.

“It is with great sadness we have to announce that Marie Fredriksson of Roxette has passed away in the morning of December 9, following a 17-year long battle with cancer,” Dimberg Jernberg Management said in a statement.

“You were an outstanding musician, a master of the voice, an amazing performer. Thanks for painting my black and white songs in the most beautiful colours,” Gessle said after her death.

According to reports, Six years later her doctors advised her to stop touring and rest.

Roxette, formed in 1986 by Fredriksson and the guitarist Per Gessle, sold more than 80 million albums worldwide.

Roxette’s hits included “Listen to your heart” and “The Look”.

Their ballad “It must have been love” featured in the soundtrack of Hollywood rom-com “Pretty Woman” starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts.

Gun-Marie Fredriksson, known as Marie Fredriksson was a Swedish pop singer-songwriter, pianist and painter, known for forming pop rock duo Roxette in 1986 alongside Per Gessle.

Roxette – It Must Have Been Love Music Video