Marie Fredriksson of Swedish pop duo Roxette dies at 61

Marie Fredriksson, the female half of the Swedish pop duo Roxette, has died at age 61, her management agency said on Tuesday.

Fredriksson formed Roxette with Per Gessle in 1986. The two released their first album the same year and went on to achieve international success in the late 1980s and 1990s.

The Dimberg Jernberg agency said Fredriksson died Monday “of the consequences of a long illness.”

It “is with great sorrow that we must inform you that one of greatest and most-loved artists is gone,” the firm said.

Fredriksson became ill in 2002 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She underwent radiation treatment and had continued health problems.

She went into remission and returned to the studio in 2010.

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

Fredriksson is survived by her husband, Mikael Bolyos, and their two children, Josefin and Oscar.