Anita Pallenberg Remembered by Keith Richards: ‘A Most Remarkable Woman’

“Always in my heart,” Rolling Stones guitarist says of his former longtime companion, who died Tuesday

anita pallenberg

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has paid tribute to his former longtime companion Anita Pallenberg, who died Tuesday at age 75, calling her a “most remarkable woman.”

In a statement provided to TheWrap, Richards said, “A most remarkable woman. Always in my heart.”

According to a spokeswoman for the Rolling Stones, Pallenberg died peacefully at St. Richard’s Hospital, Chichester, and had been ill “for some time.”

Pallenberg will be cremated with a memorial service to follow at a later date.

Italian-German actress Pallenberg had roles in “Barbarella,” “Candy” and “Performance,” the latter of which also featured Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger.

Born in German-occupied Rome, Pallenberg met original Stones leader Brian Jones while in Munich. She later settled in London and became infamous for her relationships with various members of the English rock band.

She left Jones for Richards in 1967 after claiming the former became violent with her, and stayed with the latter until 1980, although they were never married. Richards later claimed in his autobiography, “Life,” that Pallenberg also had an affair with Jagger while filming “Performance,” however she denied it.

Pallenberg even had an influence on the band’s music, prompting Jagger to remix some of the tracks on the 1968 album “Beggars Banquet,” along with singing vocals on “Sympathy for the Devil.”

Pallenberg is survived by two children, Marlon and Angela, fathered by Richards, as well as grandchildren Ella, Orson, Ida, Ava and Otto.

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