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Molly Leigh Burton is the middle child of the late Irish singer Dolores O’Riordan, the lead voice of The Cranberries, and her former husband Don Burton, a long-time music manager. Most people know Molly because of her famous mother. But Molly herself has chosen a quiet, private life. In this article, we look at what is known about her family background, early years, and life today. We use only trusted, public sources. We keep the language simple and friendly so everyone can follow along.
Quick Bio
| Iteam | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Molly Leigh Burton |
| Born | January 2001 (Ireland) |
| Age | 24 (in 2025) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Parents | Dolores O’Riordan (singer, The Cranberries) and Don Burton (music manager) |
| Siblings | Older brother Taylor Baxter, younger sister Dakota Rain, half-brother Donny Jr. (from Don Burton’s side) |
| Known for | Being the daughter of Dolores O’Riordan, keeping a low profile |
| Public career | No verified public career at this time |
| Notable family event | Passing of her mother in January 2018 |
Family background
Dolores O’Riordan became famous worldwide in the 1990s as the lead singer of The Cranberries, with songs like “Linger” and “Zombie.” She married Don Burton, who worked for Duran Duran, in 1994. The couple had three children together: Taylor (1997), Molly (2001), and Dakota (2005). News and obituaries after Dolores’s death in 2018 listed all three children, which is why we can report these facts with confidence.
Some outlets also note that Don Burton had a son, Donny Jr., from a previous relationship, making him Molly’s half-brother. Irish broadcaster RTÉ mentioned all four children when covering a 2018 charity donation made in Dolores’s memory.
A People magazine photo story on Dolores also states that the couple welcomed “a second daughter, Molly Leigh, in January 2001,” which is the most reliable timing detail about Molly’s birth in the public record.
Early years
Molly grew up during a very active time in her mother’s music career. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, The Cranberries were recording and touring. Yet Dolores often said that family mattered most to her. Media reports from 2018 describe her as a devoted mother of three children. This tells us that Molly’s childhood included both normal family life and the special world that comes with having a famous parent.
A Yahoo Entertainment feature looking back at Dolores’s life mentions that around late 2001, Dolores was a new mother to “four-month-old Molly Leigh and four-year-old Taylor Baxter.” This lines up with the January 2001 birth month reported by People. Together, these sources help confirm Molly’s early timeline without guessing.
A private person
There is very little verified public information about Molly’s education, jobs, or hobbies. From the outside, this seems like a choice to live quietly, away from the spotlight. Major reports about Dolores’s life and passing focus on the family as a whole and do not give personal details about Molly beyond her name and age at that time. For example, The Guardian obituary names the three children but respects their privacy, and People’s coverage does the same. This suggests that the family keeps personal matters out of the media.
You may find websites that claim more, like exact birth day, schools, or a music career for Molly. Many of these pages do not cite strong sources. Unless major outlets or official family channels confirm such claims, it is best to treat them with care. In this article, we only include information that appears in reliable publications.
The loss of her mother
On January 15, 2018, Dolores O’Riordan died suddenly in London at the age of 46. An inquest later found she died by drowning due to alcohol intoxication. This was a huge loss to music fans and, of course, to her children, including Molly. News coverage from trusted outlets reported that Dolores was survived by her three children: Taylor, Molly, and Dakota. These details come from established sources such as The Guardian and People.
After Dolores’s passing, the American band Bad Wolves donated $250,000 to her children because she had been set to record a guest vocal on their cover of “Zombie.” RTÉ reported that the donation went to Taylor Baxter, Donny Jr., Molly Leigh, and Dakota Rain. This shows the support the family received and again confirms the names of the children in a reliable news context.
What we can say about Molly today
Because Molly keeps her life private, there are no verified reports that she is active in public music or media. There are also no confirmed official social profiles for her that are widely recognized by major outlets. When sources are limited, it is best to avoid guesses.
What we can share with confidence is this:
- She is Irish and was born in January 2001, making her 24 in 2025.
- She is the middle child of Dolores O’Riordan and Don Burton and has two full siblings and one older half-brother.
- Reputable news sources keep coverage of her personal life brief, which supports the view that she values privacy.
Why Molly’s story matters
Even if Molly is not a public figure, people are curious because of her mother’s legacy. Dolores’s music touched millions. Fans often want to know that her children are doing well. Respecting privacy is important, but it is also normal to look for basic facts about a family that shaped so much modern rock music. By collecting only verified, public information, we can meet that interest while staying fair to Molly.
Final thoughts
Molly Leigh Burton lives outside the spotlight, even as the daughter of one of Ireland’s most loved singers. From careful, reliable sources, we know her basic family story and where she fits in the timeline of her mother’s life and music. Beyond that, the most respectful path is to accept her wish for privacy. If you follow The Cranberries and Dolores O’Riordan, it is enough to remember that part of her legacy is her children Taylor, Molly, and Dakota, and to hope they are well.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1) Who is Molly Leigh Burton?
Molly is the daughter of the late singer Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries and music manager Don Burton.
2) When was Molly born?
Reliable outlets say she was born in January 2001 in Ireland. (Some sites list an exact day, but strong sources confirm only the month and year.)
3) How old is she now?
In 2025, Molly is 24 years old. This follows from the January 2001 birth month noted by People.
4) Who are her siblings?
Her older brother is Taylor Baxter, her younger sister is Dakota Rain, and she has a half-brother, Donny Jr..
5) Is Molly a musician like her mother?
There is no verified public information that Molly has a music career. Trusted news coverage does not report this.
6) Did Molly appear in the media after her mother’s death?
Public reports focused on Dolores’s life and on the family’s privacy. The children were named, but detailed interviews with Molly have not appeared in major outlets.
7) Where did Molly grow up?
She spent her early years with her family while her mother was still active with The Cranberries. Media stories connect her birth to that time in the band’s work.
8) What do we know about her education?
Nothing reliable is published about her schools or degrees. Reputable reports do not cover this, likely out of respect for privacy.
9) Does Molly use social media?
There are no widely recognized official accounts confirmed by major outlets. Be careful with pages that claim to be hers without proof.
10) How did people support the family after Dolores passed away?
In 2018, the band Bad Wolves donated $250,000 to Dolores’s children, which included Molly. This was reported by RTÉ.
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