Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer known for timeless hits such as Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, passed away on Monday, 24 February 2025, at the age of 88.
Roberta Flack dies: What’s the cause of death?
According to reports, Flack had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which she was diagnosed with in 2022.
The condition progressively affected her muscle control, making it impossible for her to sing.
While the exact cause of her death has not been publicly disclosed, her declining health in recent years has significantly limited her public appearances.
Roberta Flack biography
Roberta Cleopatra Flack was born on 10 February 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and grew up in Arlington, Virginia. Raised in a musical household, her mother was a church organist, and she developed a passion for piano at a young age.
By the time she was 15, Flack had earned a full music scholarship to Howard University, making her one of the youngest students ever admitted.
Initially focusing on classical piano, she later transitioned to vocal performance, which set the foundation for her career in contemporary music.
After completing her studies, Flack worked as a teacher before pursuing music full-time. She gained recognition performing in Washington, D.C. nightclubs, where she was discovered by jazz musician Les McCann.
This led to a contract with Atlantic Records and the release of her debut album, First Take, in 1969. The album featured The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which gained widespread popularity after being featured in Clint Eastwood’s film Play Misty for Me.
Flack went on to achieve international success, winning back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974—an unprecedented achievement at the time.
Her collaboration with Donny Hathaway produced beloved duets such as Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You, further cementing her place in R&B and soul music history.
Throughout her career, Flack blended jazz, soul, and folk influences, pioneering the quiet storm subgenre of R&B.
She continued to perform and record music well into her later years, receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Reactions to Flack’s death
Following the news of Flack’s passing, tributes poured in from fans, fellow artists, and the entertainment industry.
Here are some of the tributes we picked: