Bonnie Tyler on stage in Spain. (Photo: Facebook/Bonnie Tyler)
Bonnie Tyler, world famous for her raspy voice and hits like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “It’s a Heartache”, has died at the age of 75.
The news of the Welsh megastar’s death was announced on her official website on Thursday morning.
“Bonnie’s family and team are devastated to announce that she died unexpectedly last night in a hospital in Portugal after treatment for an illness.
“We will release further details later, but for now we ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy,” reads the entry on Tyler’s website.
Tyler’s increasingly deteriorating health was widely reported earlier this year. She was placed in an induced coma in May, after undergoing emergency surgery on her intestines in Portugal.
Her representative said last month that she had woken up from the coma, but that she was “still ill and receiving intensive care”.
Tyler was born Gaynor Hopkins and grew up in Neath, Wales. She was spotted in a bar in Swansea by talent scout Roger Bell and her debut single, “Lost in France”, was released in 1977.
“It’s a Heartache”, her country-pop ballad, was released in the same year, while her biggest hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, was released six years later in 1983.
“Total Eclipse of the Heart” was written by Jim Steinman, who was also Meat Loaf’s lyricist. The song was originally titled “Vampires in Love” and was written for a musical version of Nosferatu.
Bonnie Tyler. (Foto: Facebook/Bonnie Tyler)
“I never get tired of singing it. I love it because everyone can’t wait to sing it together.”
She received a Grammy nomination for this track and received two more nominations for the album Faster than the Speed of Night and the single “Here She Comes”.
Steinman also wrote “Holding Out For a Hero”, which was recorded for the film Footloose ‘s soundtrack. It is also in later Shrek 2 use.
Tyler represented the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, finishing 19th out of 26 contestants.
She was in South Africa in November 2024 for the Pop Divas-concert at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria.
Bonnie Tyler with Nádine and BlackByrd. (Photo: Maroela Media)
Additional source: BBC