Singer Roberta Flack has died at the age of 88, it's been announced. The chart-topper - known for songs like the First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - died this morning at home surrounded by loved ones. A spokesperson told BBC News: "We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records.".
Roberta had rose to fame in the 1970s and enjoyed a decades-long career in the music industry since then. In more recent years, Roberta is said to have faced various health issues, including having experienced a stroke in 2016, and seemingly retired from her career.
It was announced in 2022 that she had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) - a progressive neurodegenerative condition that causes muscle weakness. It was reported at the time that a spokesperson for Roberta said that the condition - which is a form of motor neurone disease (MND) - had "made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak".
Roberta is best known for releasing songs like Killing Me Softly with His Song, which topped the charts in the US and placed in the top 10 in the UK upon its release in 1972. The song was later notably covered by the Fugees in 1996 and both versions won Grammy Awards.
Her other hits include a cover of the First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Feel Like Makin' Love, which both topped the charts in the US upon their releases in 1972 and 1974 respectively. The former song had featured in Clint Eastwood's directorial film debut Play Misty for Me (1971).
The performer - who released numerous albums over the course of her career - is also remembered for collaborating with the late Donny Hathaway, including on the album Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway, released in 1972. The pair released several duets together, such as The Closer I Get to You and Where Is the Love.
Roberta holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive Record of the Year awards won at the Grammys, having been the first artist to win two years in a row. She first won for the First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in 1973 and then again the following year for Killing Me Softly With His Song. She holds the world record with U2 and more recently Billie Eilish.
The news of Roberta's death has prompted tributes, with one person writing on X: "I heard (she) sang a good song... And she did. Roberta Flack's 'Killing Me Softly' is one of the greatest vocal interpretations ever. It touched me deeply as a teenager and will forever remind me of those days. Godspeed on her passing.".
Another fan said: "Rest in Paradise to Roberta Flack, some phenomenal music with underrated talent when it comes to vocals. Those duets with Donny Hathaway are some of the best love ballads to date." Whilst a third wrote: "RIP Roberta Flack. You were a beautiful soul with a beautiful voice.".
