Swedish singer Marie Fredriksson, of the Roxette group founded in 1986, died Monday of cancer at the age of 61.

The Swedish singer Roxette, Marie Fredriksson, voice of the tubes It Must Have Been Love and The Look , died Monday of the consequences of a cancer, announced its manager Tuesday. "It is with great sadness that we must announce that Marie Fredriksson, of the Roxette group, died on the morning of December 9 after a 17-year fight against cancer," said Dimberg Jernberg Management in a statement. Marie Fredriksson, 61, was treated since 2002 for a brain tumor. In remission, she had gone on tour and had returned to the studios in 2010, but six years later her doctors had advised her to rest.

"Huge artist"

The band Roxette, formed in 1986 by guitarist Per Gessle and singer Marie Fredriksson, has sold nearly 80 million albums worldwide and accumulated "hit parades" including The Look , Listen to Your Heart or It Must Have Been Love .

"You were a wonderful musician, an exceptional singer, a huge artist, thank you for adding wonderful colors to my black and white songs," responded Per Gessle.