Mick Jagger Pays Tribute to Late Marianne Faithfull: 'She Was So Much Part of My Life for So Long'

Mick Jagger is reflecting on the life and legacy of late musician Marianne Faithfull.

On Thursday, Jan. 30 — just hours after news broke that the British singer and actress had died at age 78 — the Rolling Stones musician, 81, shared a candid Instagram post, in which he reflected on his lifelong friendship and once romantic relationship with Faithfull.

"I am so saddened to hear of the death of Marianne Faithfull," Jagger wrote on Instagram, alongside several photos of the singer over the years, some of which also featured the rocker himself. "She was so much part of my life for so long. She was a wonderful friend, a beautiful singer and a great actress. She will always be remembered."

Related: Marianne Faithfull Says Medics 'Saved My Life' After 22-Day Hospital Treatment for Coronavirus

A spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE that Faithfull had died on Thursday. A cause of death was not immediately available.

"It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithfull," a statement released by her spokesperson said. "Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed."

Keith Richards also paid his respects to Faithfull with an Instagram post on Thursday. The 81-year-old Stones guitarist shared a recent photo of himself with the rock singer, cheers-ing their respective wine glass and teacup as they sit in a room with a piano behind them.

"My heartfelt condolences to Marianne's family! I am so sad and will miss her!!" Richards captioned the photo. "Love, Keith."

Related: Marianne Faithfull Dies at 78: 'She Will Be Dearly Missed'

Faithfull, often known as the crown princess of Swinging Sixties London, was first discovered at a party in London in 1964 by Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham. Oldham would eventually help her launch her musical career with the track "As Tears Go By," written by Jagger and Richards.

After having her first child with her ex-husband John Dunbar at just 18 years old in 1965, Faithfull and Jagger began dating and quickly became known as a celebrity "It Couple." The singer is long believed to have been the inspiration behind major Rolling Stones hits like "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "Wild Horses."

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"You know, being a woman in rock 'n' roll didn't show me kindness," Faithfull told British Vogue in April 2021. "Though that's not to say that Mick was unkind – he wasn't. Mick and Keith [Richards] and Charlie [Watts] were really kind – but a lot of people weren't."

The pair eventually split in 1970, but seemingly remained on good terms, with Faithfull telling PEOPLE in 1980: "He wasn't the great love of my life. We were just two kids living on too many different levels."

The official Stones Instagram account also shared a post to reflect on Faithfull's career and legacy, publishing a video of the band's 1966 performance of "As Tears Go By" on The Ed Sullivan Show. The band's appearance marked the band's third performance on the show, and screaming fans could be heard in the audience before Jagger began his heartfelt rendition of the track.

"For Marianne 💛," the caption reads.

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