Roberta Flack, the celebrated American singer renowned for her soulful interpretations of songs like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” passed away on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, who stated that Flack died peacefully surrounded by family; no cause of death was disclosed.
Born Roberta Cleopatra Flack on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, she was a musical prodigy who began studying piano at the age of nine. At just 15, she earned a full scholarship to Howard University, where she initially aspired to be a concert pianist before transitioning to vocal performance.
Flack’s breakthrough came when actor-director Clint Eastwood featured her rendition of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film “Play Misty for Me.” The song soared to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and earned her a Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1973. She made history by winning the same award consecutively in 1974 for “Killing Me Softly with His Song,” a feat unmatched for decades.
Throughout her career, Flack released numerous albums and collaborated with artists such as Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson. She was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
In 2022, Flack announced her diagnosis with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which made it “impossible to sing and not easy to speak.” Despite this, she remained active through her foundation, focusing on music education and animal welfare.
Roberta Flack’s enduring legacy is marked by her emotive voice and the profound impact she had on the music industry, inspiring generations of artists and listeners alike.
