The music world mourns as sad news comes in confirming that Grammy-winning singer and pianist Roberta Flack has died.
Roberta Flack, who is known for such hits as “Killing Me Softly With His Song” and “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face,” died on Monday, Feb. 24, at the age of 88.
The news of Roberta’s death was confirmed in a statement released by Elaine Schock. No cause of death was cited in the statement.
According to her publicist Elaine, the singer passed away peacefully at home with her loving family by her side.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” the statement read. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Although no cause of death has been mentioned, her death comes three years after she revealed back in 2022, she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and could no longer sing.
Roberta Flack was a legendary singer, songwriter, and pianist whose soulful voice and emotive storytelling have left an indelible mark on music. Born in 1937 in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was a musical prodigy, mastering the piano at an early age.
By the time she was 15, she had earned a music scholarship to Howard University, making her one of the youngest students ever admitted. Her career didn’t take off overnight.
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In the 1960s, she worked as a music teacher by day and performed in Washington, D.C., clubs by night. It was at one of these performances that jazz musician Les McCann discovered her and helped her land a record deal with Atlantic Records.
Her 1969 debut album, First Take, didn’t make much noise at first—until Clint Eastwood used her song The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song exploded in popularity, earning her a Grammy for Record of the Year and making her an overnight sensation after years of hard work.
From there, Flack continued to dominate the charts. Her 1973 duet with Donny Hathaway, Where Is the Love, won a Grammy, and her solo hit Killing Me Softly with His Song became another Grammy-winning classic. What set her apart was her ability to blend soul, jazz, R&B, and folk into something uniquely hers—intimate, powerful, and deeply moving.
Even as music trends changed, Flack remained relevant, collaborating with artists like Peabo Bryson and making a lasting impact on the industry. She was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, cementing her legacy as one of the most influential voices in modern music.
Even as of today, her songs remain timeless, continuing to touch new generations of listeners.
Roberta Flack’s Cause Of Death
As mentioned above, no cause of death has been mentioned.
Roberta Flack Dead: She is survived by her son, Bernard Wright, who she shared with ex-husband Stephen Novosel.
