Grammy Award-winning singer Roberta Flack has died, per PEOPLE. She was 88.
Flack died on Monday (February 14) surrounded by family members, according to a press release obtained by the outlet. It’s unclear what her cause of death is.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning February 24, 2025,” a statement reads. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack was a bright star in the music industry in the 1970s, releasing three No. 1 singles — “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love” — within two years. “Killing Me Softly with His Song” was later covered by the Fugees’ Lauryn Hill in the 1990s. Flack also made history as the first solo artist to win the Grammys’ Record of the Year award for two consecutive years.
The singer’s death comes after her team announced in November 2022 that she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Flack was hospitalized in August 2022 for treatment. At the time, a spokesperson for Flack said the disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak.”
“It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon,” the statement read. “Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired.”
Rest in peace, Roberta Flack.
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