Roberta Flack Dies At 88 Surrounded By Her Family
Roberta Flack passed on Monday, February 24, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones three years after announcing her battle with ALS.
Roberta Flack has taken her last breath!
The talented musician reportedly passed on Monday, February 24, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones three years after announcing her battle with ALS.
Roberta Flack made history by becoming the first artist to win the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in consecutive years. Her powerful ballads âThe First Time Ever I Saw Your Faceâ and âKilling Me Softly with His Songâ earned her the prestigious award in 1973 and 1974, respectively.
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Roberta Flack's Cause Of Death Remains Undisclosed
Her publicist Elaine Schock confirmed to the Associated Press that Flack passed away at home, surrounded by her family.Â
While the specific cause of death was not revealed, it was known that the four-time Grammy winner had announced in 2022 that she was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrigâs disease, which had prevented her from singing. The late star's rep said:
"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. She was also a proud educator."
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A Journey Through The Award-winning Musicianâs Iconic Career
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A post shared by Roberta Flack (@officialrobertaflack)
Flack emerged as one of the most celebrated vocalists of her generation, distinguished by her unique style that seamlessly blended elements of pop, soul, jazz, folk, and classical music, all while drawing inspiration from the Great American Songbook.
Her voice, characterized by its silky yet husky quality, had the remarkable ability to elevate lively, upbeat songs and transition into the soothing tones of romantic lullabies.
Also a classically trained pianist, Flack began her musical journey at a young age, earning a scholarship to Howard University at just 15.Â
While studying, she offered private piano lessons in the Washington D.C. area and performed at local nightclubs, where she caught the attention of jazz musician Les McCann.Â
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Signing with Atlantic Records, Flack released a series of acclaimed hits, including âThe First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,â âWhere Is the Loveâ (a duet with her former classmate Donny Hathaway), and the Grammy Hall of Fame inductee âKilling Me Softly With His Song.â
Other notable tracks include âFeel Like Makinâ Love,â âThe Closer I Get to Youâ (again with Hathaway), âTonight I Celebrate My Love,â and âSet the Night to Music, â per Deadline.
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Flack Created A Foundation For Animal Protection And Music Education
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In 2010, the legend established The Roberta Flack Foundation, which promotes animal welfare and music education. Two years later, she released "Let It Be Roberta," an album featuring covers of The Beatles songs.
Flack was also known for being a longtime resident of the Dakota Building on Manhattan's Upper West Side, with an apartment next door to John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
She granted support to initiatives like Anasa Troutmanâs Shelectricity and filmmaker Carol Swainson in 2019. After retiring from touring in 2018, she limited her public appearances to special events.
In 2020, she was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and actively helped raise awareness and funds for Feed the Children.org during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The Grammy Winner Was Determined To Bounce Back From ALS
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A post shared by Roberta Flack (@officialrobertaflack)
As shared by The Blast, when Flack got diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis( ALS) in 2022, the singer-songwriter's team confirmed she was receiving hospital treatment.
There is currently no known cure for Lou Gehrig's disease, an illness, according to the Cleveland Clinic, that progressively damages the nerves responsible for transmitting messages from the brain to the muscles. This deterioration affects essential functions such as movement, speech, and breathing.
Despite this, Flack reportedly remained determined not to be defeated by her condition. A family spokesperson announced that she plans to continue her involvement in the entertainment industry once her health improves.Â
The family emphasized her strong spirit and deep love for music, highlighting how it has transformed her life, rising from humble beginnings to international fame.
The familyâs message emphasized that nothing, not even ALS, will silence this iconic artist as she continues to embrace her musical and creative pursuits.
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Roberta Flack Survived A Series Of Health Issues, Including Stroke And COVID Infection
Quite the fighter, Flack's struggles with her health did not begin in 2023. The late vocalist suffered a stroke in 2016, which stole years off her career projections.
The four-time Grammy award winner also shared that she experienced a moderate case of COVID-19 in January 2022. In an exclusive interview in February 2022, she reflected on the impact of the pandemic, noting that it has kept many artists off stage for the past two years.Â
Despite the uncertainty of the next couple of years, she strongly desired to reconnect with her fans in person as soon as possible.
May Roberta Flackâs soul rest in perfect peace.