30 Female Artists Who Died Too Soon

30 Female Artists Who Died Too Soon

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re exploring the most shocking times when celebrated and beloved female recording artists passed away at a young age, tragically, or unexpectedly.

Sulli

March 29, 1994 – October 13 or 14, 2019

After getting her start as a child actor, Choi Jin-ri, better known as Sulli, joined the South Korean girl group f(x) in 2009. After stepping away from the group and going into modelling, by 2018, Sulli returned to music as a solo artist. In 2019, several months after releasing her album “Goblin,” Sulli sadly took her own life at 25. On top of mental health struggles, she’d been tormented online by people. Sulli was known for breaking South Korean conformity by speaking her mind about issues, drawing ire from some. This harassment also extended to Sulli’s former partner, Choiza, who experienced more following her passing. Sulli’s death sparked fans to create petitions to instigate stricter laws in the country against internet trolls.

Leslie Carter

June 6, 1986 – January 31, 2012

A sibling in the Carter music empire, Leslie signed a deal with DreamWorks Records. However, the company was unsure how her album would go down, causing them to test the market with her 2001 single, “Like Wow!” Following an underwhelming response, the album was cancelled. However, Leslie continued her music with smaller gigs. In 2012, after she fell in the shower after already feeling ill, she was helped into bed. Sadly, Leslie passed away at the age of 25. It later emerged that Leslie had been battling mental health issues and had taken too much of her prescribed medication. Nick later stated his family blamed him, resulting in his absence from Leslie’s funeral. Nearly ten years later, Aaron passed away in a similar circumstance.

Sarah Harding

November 17, 1981 – September 5, 2021

Following her successful performance on the UK reality show “Popstars: The Rivals,” Harding was placed in the girl group Girls Aloud in 2002. One of the country’s most popular pop groups, they sold millions of albums and had multiple number-one hits. Following Girls Aloud’s split, Harding would work on a solo career, acting, and reality TV, resulting in her winning “Celebrity Big Brother 20.” However, in 2020, she made the announcement that she'd been diagnosed with cancer. The following year, despite treatment, Harding stated that the cancer was terminal. Yet even through that terrible news, she released the song “Wear It Like a Crown” to raise money for charity. Sadly, several months later, she passed away at 39.

Lena Zavaroni

November 4, 1963 – October 1, 1999

Thrust into the limelight at a young age by releasing her debut album at ten, Zavaroni became the youngest person in the UK to have a top ten album. As a result, the Scottish singer appeared on several TV programs in the ‘70s, even getting her own show later on. However, behind the scenes, Zavaroni struggled with depression and disordered eating, which contributed to her quitting the industry and living off state benefits and charity help. In 1999, after begging doctors, she underwent brain surgery to ease her mental health struggles. However, while the surgery seemed to be a success and she made plans to return to music, Zavaroni’s health quickly deteriorated after contracting pneumonia, sadly resulting in her passing at the age of 35.

Alice Martineau

June 8, 1972 – March 6, 2003

Descended from an influential French-English family, Martineau first found fame as a model. However, she hid from agencies that she had the genetic disorder, cystic fibrosis. This illness made Martineau believe she could never fulfil her dreams of singing professionally. Yet her performances at gigs led to interest from several record companies, who soon withdrew upon finding out her condition and that she was awaiting multi-organ transplants. Martineau didn’t give up, eventually signing with Sony. In 2002, she released the single, “If I Fall.” However, Martineau’s health continued to deteriorate. In 2003, at the age of 30, she sadly passed away while still waiting for the transplant surgery, shortly after the release of her album, “Daydreams.”

Kristen Pfaff

May 26, 1967 - June 16, 1994

A rising star as a bassist in the Minneapolis music scene, Pfaff was influential in the state after studying at the university and working as a counsellor for assault victims. Her music career took off due to her work in the bands Janitor Joe and Hole. However, away from music, Pfaff struggled with substance issues, resulting in her undergoing detox programs. In 1994, her world was turned upside down when Kurt Cobain, her friend and the husband of Hole singer Courtney Love, took his own life at 27, joining a list of artists who lost their lives at that age. Two months after his death, Pfaff, aged 27, sadly passed away after taking illegal substances.

Ofra Haza

November 19, 1957 – February 23, 2000

Labeled “the Madonna of the East,” Haza was a singing sensation, so much so that she’s often listed as one of the best singers of all time. However, in 2000, it was announced that the Israeli performer had sadly died at 42. Shortly after, Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, reported that Haza passed away due to complications from AIDS. This sparked a massive scandal within the country. Some criticized Haaretz for ignoring Haza’s privacy, others believed she shouldn’t have kept it a secret, and some believed Haza addressing the illness when she was alive would’ve raised awareness of it. Fans then blamed Haza’s husband, Doron Ashkenazi, for infecting her. However, he claimed a tainted transfusion was responsible. In 2001, Ashkenazi passed away from substance issues.

Bergen

July 15, 1958 – August 14, 1989

Born Belgin Sarılmışer, yet better known by her stage name, upon the release of her fourth album, which broke records, Bergen became one of the most celebrated Arabesque musicians in Turkey. Incredibly, she did this after suffering abuse from her husband, Halis Serbest. In 1982, after she planned to leave him, Serbest hired someone to throw acid at Bergen. After suffering severe injuries, including losing one of her eyes, Bergen underwent surgeries and returned to music. Serbest was sentenced to 13 years. Sadly, that wasn’t the end as the duo got back together upon his release. In 1989, Serbest fatally shot the 31-year-old Bergen. After fleeing to Germany, he was eventually caught and received a 15-year sentence. However, he was released after seven months.

Dolores O'Riordan

September 6, 1971 – January 15, 2018

One of the most iconic musicians during the ‘90s, O’Riordan took the world by storm with her singing voice as part of the band The Cranberries. The Irish rockers sold millions of albums during their stint, while she also enjoyed a solo career. O'Riordan often used her platform to discuss her childhood trauma and mental health struggles, helping those who can relate. She even went public with her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. In 2018, at the age of 46, O'Riordan passed away after accidentally drowning in a hotel bathtub following alcohol consumption. Musicians, actors, politicians, and many other famous faces from various industries all honored her legacy. After releasing a final album with O'Riordan's vocals in 2019, The Cranberries disbanded.

Judy Garland

June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969

From bursting into the film industry with 1939’s “The Wizard of Oz,” Garland would balance her acting career with a beloved singing career, releasing many albums as she became a cultural and gay icon. Yet life wasn’t easy for her, as substance, body image, and mental health struggles followed her throughout her legacy, as well as alleged attacks from some of her husbands. Later in her career, due to financial problems, Garland performed gigs to raise cash. However, substance issues caused problems with her performances. In 1969, three months after Garland had married Mickey Deans, she sadly passed away at the age of 47. The inquest found that the legendary performer had accidentally overconsumed prescription medication.

Sophie

September 17, 1986 - January 30, 2021

The Scottish musician Sophie Xeon released a unique kind of dance and electronic pop. In 2018, Sophie’s debut album “Oil of Every Pearl’s Un-Insides” was released to critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination. Coming out as a trans woman, the trailblazing performer led the way as an important figure in music. While not achieving the status of major pop stars, the producer worked with more successful singers like Madonna and Charli XCX. In 2021 at just thirty-four, Sophie died after falling from a balcony in what was determined to be an accident. In the end, Sophie’s bravery in embracing a true identity made for an incredibly influential legacy.

Florence Ballard

June 30, 1943 - February 22, 1976

As one the original members of The Supremes, singer Florence Ballard achieved massive success in one of Motown’s biggest acts. During the band’s most productive years, the vocalist recorded some of their greatest hits. Due to her struggles with alcohol, the artist was fired from The Supremes in 1967. While she attempted to start a solo career, she was unable to match the accomplishments of her former group. During the 1970s, the performer fell on hard times and stopped singing for a short time. At the young age of thirty-two, her life was cut short when she died of a sudden heart attack. Living on through her contributions to Motown, Ballard also served as the basis for the character Effie White in “Dreamgirls.”

Dorothy Dandridge

November 9, 1922 - September 8, 1965

Born in Cleveland, Dorothy Dandridge was destined for greatness from a young age. As a singer, she first made a name for herself in groups such as The Dandridge Sisters. Performing around the country, the artist honed her craft at iconic places like the Cotton Club. As an actor, she appeared in “Porgy and Bess” and received an Oscar nomination for her role in “Carmen Jones.” Despite this success, she dealt with financial issues and dwindling film opportunities. Dandridge returned to her roots on the stage, singing as she juggled personal and monetary setbacks. At the age of forty-two, though, she passed away from an accidental overdose. Through Halle Berry’s portrayal of her in “Introducing Dorothy Dandridge,” people were reintroduced to the artist's one-of-a-kind talents.

Dinah Washington

August 29, 1924 - December 14, 1963

Known as the “Queen of the Blues,” Dinah Washington was one of the premier singers of the 1950s. From her start as a teenager, the performer built up her singing ability as a club act in the 1940s. In 1959, she won a Grammy for one of her most unforgettable recordings, “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes.” At the age of thirty-nine, Washington died of a barbiturate overdose. Her many indelible performances created a legend around her name, with a classy delivery that set her apart. With her mastery of jazz, blues, and R&B, the vocalist became a 1993 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Simone Battle

June 17, 1989 - September 5, 2014

While Simone Battle tried her hand at show business before “X Factor,” it was the singing competition that made her a star. Her 2011 audition on the program brought her to a much larger stage, landing her a spot in the girl group G.R.L. All of her early acting gigs and music video work prepared her for the big time, including a successful collaboration with Pitbull. With two years in the group, the performer was well on her way to even larger musical achievements. Shocking the world, the twenty-five-year-old singer took her own life in 2014. Through heartfelt tributes, her bandmates and admirers carried on her legacy and showed that she would never be forgotten.

Mary Wells

May 13, 1943 - July 26, 1992

Known for her association with early Motown, Mary Wells was another important piece of the record company’s unprecedented success. As a teenager, Wells was one of the first female artists to have a successful single with the Detroit label. Releasing classics like “My Guy,” her abilities provided a strong foundation for the pop and R&B landscape. Singing various songs written by Smokey Robinson, the performer became one of the great solo stars of the early 1960s. After disagreements with Motown, Wells left to pursue work with different labels for the next two decades. In 1990, she received a cancer diagnosis that led to her death two years later. Ahead of her time, the vocalist's impeccable work made her the original “The Queen of Motown.”

Tammi Terrell

April 29, 1945 - March 16, 1970

One of the shining lights of early Motown, Tammi Terrell achieved an incredible amount in her twenty-four years. Starting in her teens, the performer worked and recorded with James Brown. Showing tremendous promise, the singer formed a classic partnership with Marvin Gaye. The friends recorded “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “You’re All I Need to Get By,” which became two all-time classics. After fainting in 1967, the artist found out that she had a malignant brain tumor. Less than three years later, Terrell succumbed to her illness. In her brief career, she managed to put an indelible mark on popular music.

Minnie Riperton

November 8, 1947 - July 12, 1979

Known for one of the most dynamic vocal ranges in popular music, Minnie Riperton was nothing short of a singing powerhouse. Beginning her career as a backup singer, the performer garnered attention delivering backing vocals for the many artists at Chess Records. Captured in songs such as her magnum opus “Lovin’ You,” her enviable register was unmatched during her initial reign. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in 1976, Riperton refused to let the illness stall her output. Continuing to record up until her death at thirty-one, the vocalist also became an advocate for the American Cancer Society. Leaving behind a host of admirable work in and out of the industry, she was a true role model for future entertainers.

Christina Grimmie

March 12, 1994 - June 10, 2016

Before making a splash on Season 6 of “The Voice,” singer Christina Grimmie released her own covers on YouTube. Releasing an EP and an album, the performer already developed her sound prior to landing an audition on the NBC show. Once she made it to the show, she was mentored by Adam Levine and mastered her pop skills onstage. Finishing in third place, she left the program with opportunities to join a major label and tour. After one of her live shows, Grimmie was shot and killed during an autograph signing with fans. Her shocking murder brought further attention to the issue of gun violence in America. With another EP and album released after her death, Grimmie’s promising career had only just begun.

Eva Cassidy

February 2, 1963 - November 2, 1996

During her life, singer and guitarist Eva Cassidy was more of a cult figure with a small following. She only had two official releases during her lifetime. Her haunting and emotional voice glided over a variety of covers, notably Sting’s “Fields of Gold.” Mixing folk and jazz influences, her memorable performance style made her a notable D.C. performer. Dying from melanoma in 1996, her legend only grew as people rediscovered her albums. Years later, her recordings became popular in the U.K., where her posthumous releases and compilations sold particularly well. Like many of the great artists in history, Cassidy finally received her due after her death.

Cass Elliot

September 19, 1941 - July 29, 1974

Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, was a major musical presence in the late 1960s and early 1970s. One of the members of The Mamas & the Papas, the singer had the most commanding vocals in the entire group. Her rendition of “Dream a Little Dream of Me” off of their fourth album signaled her promise as a solo artist. With her variety specials and other media appearances, the vocalist became a well-known persona beyond just her initial song work. While she was maintaining a modest level of success, it all ended when Elliot died from heart failure in 1974. From her days as a counterculture icon to her tremendous voice, the performer made a tremendous impact on the industry.

Billie Holiday

April 7, 1915 - July 17, 1959

If you have a favorite female vocalist, there’s a chance she was influenced in part by Billie Holiday. Among the most storied and well-regarded performers of any era, she performed standards of the 1940s and 1950s better than almost anyone. Her career as a jazz singer was punctuated by historic and culturally important recordings, one of which was her version “Strange Fruit.” All the while, she dealt with the changing times and a cluster of legal problems. In 1959, Holiday died of cirrhosis after a long battle with substance use disorder. While her story was tragic, many books and films ensured that her inspiring life and musical expertise would never be forgotten.

Patsy Cline

September 8, 1932 - March 5, 1963

Among the first female artists to serve up country music to pop listeners, Patsy Cline was nothing short of groundbreaking. With a fantastic vocal ability and rich tone, the singer managed to carve out her own piece of recording history. Her interpretation of the song “Crazy,” penned by Willie Nelson, produced a profound and earth-shattering effect on popular music. By the age of thirty, she had conquered the charts and paved the way for women in her respective genre. In 1963, the performer tragically died in an airplane crash. Wise and talented beyond her years, Cline gave America their first female country superstar.

Janis Joplin

January 19, 1943 - October 4, 1970

There were few performers who had the power of Janis Joplin's voice. From her time with Big Brother and the Holding Company to her solo career, this singer was a guiding light for ‘60s counterculture. Fashionable and down to earth, Joplin was known for her legendary renditions of songs like “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee.” Unfortunately, her life ended at the young age of twenty-seven after an accidental overdose. Even in her short life, the artist achieved a mythical status as one of the greatest rock vocalists of the Woodstock generation.

Karen Carpenter

March 2, 1950 - February 4, 1983

The brother-and-sister duo the Carpenters became soft rock staples in the 1970s. As their lead vocalist, Karen Carpenter’s angelic voice bolstered several huge records. Songs such as “Rainy Days and Mondays” and “Superstar” were big songs with pop listeners. With multiple Grammys and hit singles to their name, the group seemingly had it all despite their own personal struggles. Suffering from body image issues, Carpenter dealt with eating disorders during the height of the band’s success. These contributed to the singer’s death in 1983, after her lengthy battle with anorexia. At just thirty-two, the artist died much too young and with many wonderful songs left to sing.

Amy Winehouse

September 14, 1983 - July 23, 2011

Appointed as the next great British pop singer, Amy Winehouse soared to fame with an enviable vocal talent. In just two solo albums, the performer garnered commercial and critical acclaim with hits like “Valerie” and “Rehab.” Her record “Back to Black” brought her international fame and Grammy awards. With even greater success on the horizon, Winehouse accumulated several promising projects and offers in the early 2010s. Battling substance use disorder and personal demons, the vocalist struggled at the peak of her fame. Dying from alcohol poisoning in 2011, the artist's life was cut short under unfortunate circumstances. Although her life ended in tragedy, her star shined brighter than anyone could’ve imagined.

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes

May 27, 1971 - April 25, 2002

Providing a fun and vibrant energy to TLC, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes rounded out the R&B trio. Contributing to one of the best-selling female groups of all time, the singer and rapper made her mark on a number of massive songs. Adding her charm to the videos for “No Scrubs” and “Creep,” Lopes was the group’s secret ingredient. During a charity trip in Honduras, the artist was killed in a car crash. With the promise of her solo career and producer credits, the performer was on the cusp of several prosperous ventures. Leaving us too soon, Left Eye’s lasting impression on pop and R&B lived on through TLC’s timeless discography.

Whitney Houston

August 9, 1963 - February 11, 2012

In 1985, Whitney Houston charted a course that would alter the landscape for female vocalists. By her mid-20s, the artist had already delivered massive records that showcased her impeccable singing talents. Releasing a cover of “I Will Always Love You,” she reached stratospheric heights as an unrivaled singer. Through her illustrious and award-winning career, Houston's unprecedented talents extended well beyond the music industry. Later in life, her controversial marriage to Bobby Brown and drug use led to her decline. The latter contributed to her tragic death from an accidental drowning, along with a heart condition. Nevertheless, the legend’s output left an overwhelmingly positive effect on popular culture.

Aaliyah

January 16, 1979 - August 25, 2001

Signed at the age of twelve, Aaliyah was well on her way to stardom before most people finished junior high. Three years later, her debut album signaled the rise of another great artist. With her precocious brand of R&B, the vocalist proved she was born to shake up the industry. By the release of her third studio album, the multi-talented artist had explored pop music and acting in a number of successful projects. In 2001, the singer boarded a plane in the Bahamas that crashed not long after takeoff. Given all of Aaliyah's achievements before her death, it's clear that she left us long before she reached her full potential.

Selena

April 16, 1971 - March 31, 1995

One of the biggest solo artists of the ‘90s, Selena brought Tejano music to the world. Inspiring a new generation of Mexican-American performers, the singer was a cultural icon for millions of listeners. After starting with the band Selena y Los Dinos, she continued as a solo artist with five studio albums. Her star shined brightly as she achieved so much in her twenty-three years. In a shock to the world, the artist was shot and killed by her former fan club president. Following the senseless tragedy, the multi-platinum “Dreaming of You” became a record-breaking album for Latin music. Immediately following her death, her many fans made it clear that they never would never forget her transcendent artistry.

What are your favorite memories or performances of the musicians we’ve mentioned in the video? Let us know below.