Iconic 80s pop star Bonnie Tyler, best known for her hit single “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” died at the age of 75.
“Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in a hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for,” her family said in a statement, according to AP News.
Tyler underwent emergency intestinal surgery in a hospital in Portugal and was placed in an induced coma in May. She was reportedly recovering well in June and was expected to recover. The outlet reported that her death was unexpected.
Bonnie Tyler, britische Rock- und Popsängerin, Deutschland um 1987. (Photo by Valdmanis/United Archives via Getty Images)
Tyler’s unmistakable raspy voice helped define 80s pop music. The success of the 1983 hit ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which has more than 1 billion streams, earned her worldwide acclaim and led her to three Grammy nominations over the course of her decades-long career.
Among her many accolades, Tyler represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 and was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to music by Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
Some of her other hits include “Lost in France,” “It’s a Heartache,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and “Here She Comes. Tyler crossed over to country music with a Vince Gill duet, “What You Need From Me,” and “Believe in Me,” which was selected to represent the United Kingdom at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. (RELATED: Legendary Singer Bonnie Tyler Reportedly Undergoes Emergency Intestinal Surgery)
Bonnie Tyler, britische Rock- und Popsängerin, Deutschland um 1988. (Photo by Valdmanis/United Archives via Getty Images)
Tyler leaves behind a towering musical legacy, cementing her place as one of the most recognizable singers of the 1980s. Decades after its release, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” remains one of the era’s most beloved songs, continuing to resonate with audiences across generations.