Sinead O'Connor announced on her official web site that she will be retiring from the music business.

"As of July 2003 I shall be retiring from the music business (in) order to pursue a different career," she writes. A spokesperson for Vanguard Records, O'Connor's U.S. label, confirmed to Billboard.com that the message is authentic.

The decision may be linked to her struggle with chronic fatigue syndrome as the artist was "advised to rest as much as possible over the next few months," and was forced to cancel performances in Europe with U.K.'s Massive Attack.

The Irish artist hit the spotlight in the 1990s with her single "Nothing Compares 2 U" and a controversial appearance on "Saturday Night Live" which ended with her tearing up a picture of the Pope.

For her final contribution to her fans, O'Connor will release a concert and documentary DVD in July, appropriately titled "Goodnight, Thank You. You've Been A Lovely Audience" and will feature old and new material.