Cleo Sylvestre, the groundbreaking British actress and singer, passed away at 79, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of firsts in entertainment. Sylvestre made history in 1964 as the first female vocalist to record with The Rolling Stones, performing the single “To Know Him Is to Love Him” with the rising stars. However, her career soon pivoted to acting, where she achieved even more milestones.
In 1967, she made her West End debut opposite Alec Guinness in Wise Child, and in 1969, Sylvestre became the first Black actress to lead at the National Theatre in The National Health. Her television roles, such as the pioneering part of Melanie in Crossroads, made her the first Black woman in a regular British soap opera role.
In 2023, Sylvestre was appointed an MBE for her contributions to the arts, further cementing her place in history as a trailblazer in British entertainment. She will be remembered for her talent, grace, and groundbreaking work across music, theater, and television.