Tom Morello has announced the death of his mother, Mary Morello, at the age of 102.
The Rage Against the Machine guitarist confirmed the news on Sunday night, sharing a tribute to his mother on Instagram.
In the caption, Morello wrote, “Mary Morello is forever with the Rebels of Light & Song. (1923-2026).”
The touching post included an image of Mary smiling, as well as a black-and-white photograph of the pair holding hands while she lay in a hospital bed.
Several stars took to the comments section to send condolences to the musician, including actor Jack Black, who wrote, “Love you Tom…sorry for your loss.”
Rapper Flavor Flav commented, “LOVE AND STRENGTH TOM,,, I know what this feels like and I wish none of us ever had to experience this (sic),” while actor Joe Manganiello penned, “Ahhh man… love you Tom. Mary was a legend in so many ways…”
Mary worked as a history teacher and was a prominent activist whose work dated back to the 1930s during the Great Depression.
Morello, 62, previously outlined his mother’s activism in a 2021 essay for The New York Times, explaining that she fiercely opposed Jim Crow laws, aided anti-colonial movements in Africa, supported the United Farm Workers and Urban League, and spoke out against apartheid and the Persian Gulf War.
Mary also campaigned for homeless people and recovering addicts to receive their high school diplomas, while volunteering at soup kitchens and assisting organisations such as Doctors Without Borders.
Morello recently cancelled a series of shows in Europe to spend time with his mother at home after she was hospitalised.
