Iconic singer and pianist Roberta Flack, who made Grammy history with her unforgettable No. 1 hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” passed away on Monday in New York at the age of 88.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning,” read a statement from her representative. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack suffered a stroke in 2016 and retired from performing in 2018. She was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2022.
Grammy-Winning Legacy
Flack’s remarkable career saw her win multiple Grammy Awards. She received a second Grammy in 1973 for “Where Is the Love,” her duet with college friend and frequent collaborator, the late Donny Hathaway. The song peaked at No. 5 on the charts.
Her smash hit “Killing Me Softly” earned Flack a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance and spent five weeks at No. 1 in 1973. She followed this success by topping the charts again in 1974 with “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” which earned her three of her 14 career Grammy nominations.
