She died yesterday morning in hospital, reports Swedish paper Expressen. Her manager said: "It is with great sadness that we have to announce that one of our biggest and most beloved artists is gone." Roxette bandmate Per Gessle led the tributes today. He said: “Time goes by so quickly. It’s not that long ago we spent days and nights in my tiny apartment listening to music we loved, sharing impossible dreams. "And what a dream we eventually got to share! Thank you Marie, thank you for EVERYTHING.
"You were a truly unique musician, a singer on a level we will hardly ever experience again. "You painted my black and white songs with the most beautiful colours." He also said: "You were a wonderful friend for over forty years. "I am proud, honoured and happy to have shared so much of your time, your talent, your warmth, generosity and humour. "All my love goes to you and your family. Things will never be the same."

Marie had previously fought back to health after a brain tumour - when doctors gave her just a 20 per cent chance of survival. She was diagnosed in 2002 after collapsing from a seizure while jogging with her husband. Roxette went on a seven-year hiatus while she recovered from punishing rounds of cancer treatment. It left her with severe radiation damage - and her 2004 solo album The Change was dedicated to her experiences in hospital. But they began touring again in 2009 and the following year Marie and Per sang at the royal wedding of Sweden's Princess Victoria. Marie is survived by husband Mikael Bolyos, 62, and their two children, daughter Ines Josefin, 26, and son Oscar, 23. Roxette got together in 1986 and are one of Sweden's most successful groups with 19 top 40 hits and four top ten albums in the UK. Other hits included The Look, Joyride and Listen To Your Heart. They sold 75million albums worldwide. Marie also had a successful solo career with hit ballads such as Faith and Still Smelling Love - which she sang at Princess Madeleine's wedding in 2013.

In 2013 she released her last solo album, NU, with songs in Swedish. But three years ago she said she could no longer perform because after the ravages of her disease. Per said last year: "She's been amazing. "I don't know how many hundreds of concerts we did over the last five years and it was entirely thanks to her energy that it was possible to do."