Shane MacGowan's wife says 'vibrant' star smiled until 'last' and was 'determined to live only a few days' before death
DUBLIN, IRELAND: Shane MacGowan's wife Victoria Mary Clarke has shared a heartbreaking tribute to the late star, after his death at the age of 65.
'The Pogues' frontman died at his home in Dublin on Thursday, November 30, due to pneumonia.
Shane MacGowan's wife says he smiled until the 'last'
Victoria, an Irish Journalist, had been married to MacGowan for 11 years. She shared how the singer felt during his last days before his death in a post on X on Monday, December 4.
Victoria, 57, stated her husband was "always able to smile right until the last and his smile had a way of lightning up everyone around him no matter how much he was struggling or in pain."
She also shared a picture along with the post, adding, "I hope this smile can still work it’s magic."
Shane was always able to smile right until the last and his smile had a way of lightning up everyone around him no matter how much he was struggling or in pain. I hope this smile 😊 can still work it’s magic ❤️@poguesofficial @ShaneMacGowan pic.twitter.com/8S7agqtw8I
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) December 4, 2023
New York Post, quoting Clarke, reported that MacGowan died of pneumonia. 'The Pogues' frontman died just weeks before his 66th birthday on Christmas Day.
Shane MacGowan was determined to live just few days before his death
MacGowan had been discharged from St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin more than a week before undergoing treatment for viral encephalitis, a condition in which swelling develops on the brain.
(Sean Gardner/Getty Images, @victoriamaryclarke/Instagram)
In another post on X, Clarke wrote, "It's so hard to believe that someone could be so vibrant and beautiful and so determined to live only a few days ago."
She added, "But so many people are losing loved ones all over the world. My prayers are for all of you guys as Shane's would be."
It’s so hard to believe that someone could be so vibrant and beautiful and so determined to live only a few days ago. But so many people are losing loved ones all over the world. My prayers are for all of you guys as Shane’s would be ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rVRDFtnlm8
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) December 4, 2023
A Campaign for 'Fairytale Of New York'
Victoria Mary Clarke, Shane MacGowan’s wife, has expressed her support for the campaign to elevate 'The Pogues’ signature song ‘Fairytale Of New York’ to the number one spot on the UK charts this Christmas.
Shane is feeling much better today! I am so grateful to everyone who is willing him to get home for the Christmas! @ShaneMacGowan @poguesofficial @EtainsDream pic.twitter.com/7x3heVEvTZ
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) November 17, 2023
The track, co-written by MacGowan and Jem Finer, gained widespread acclaim with its duet version featuring Kirsty MacColl. Despite its initial release in 1987 and reaching number two, the song has yet to secure the top position.
5 Songs by The Pogues Outside of "Fairytale of New York" That You Need to Hear https://t.co/wfHpCZFoZY
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) December 4, 2023
Clarke conveyed her sentiments on BBC Radio 4’s 'Today' programme, stating, “It would be nice, wouldn’t it? It should be the Christmas number one, it absolutely should. I’m very much in favour of that.”
This statement comes as the song has consistently re-entered the UK Christmas top 40 every year since 2005, as per Irish Times, yet it has never achieved the number one spot.
