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Bonnie Tyler’s fans will be holding on to her music forever.
The Welsh singer, whose songs “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out for a Her” dominated the ‘80s and beyond, died on July 8. She was 75.
“Bonnie's family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for,” her loved ones wrote in a July 9 social media announcement. “We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”
Tyler’s passing comes after a challenging period with her health: In mid-June, she emerged from a month-long, medically induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery to treat a perforated intestine.
At the time, her family shared that the singer remained “very unwell” and that Tyler’s concerts had been canceled through August.
“Although her condition is improving it is a slow process,” her family added. “Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time.”
But while Tyler was ultimately unable to overcome her health battle, she’s left behind a musical legacy that fans will cherish for generations to come.
Born Gaynor Sullivan in the Welsh town of Skewen in 1951, Tyler’s musical talent was obvious from a young age. After finishing second in a local talent competition at age 17, she was inspired to pursue singing as a career and formed a band called Imagination.
Aldara Zarraoa/Redferns
In 1975, a talent scout spotted the then 24-year-old and invited her to London to record a demo track. She soon signed with RCA Records, who recommended she change her name. It was then that Bonnie Tyler was born.
In the early years of her career, Tyler had to undergo surgery to remove vocal nodules. The recovery required her to rest her voice for weeks at a time, however a frustrated scream released too early in her healing landed Tyler with the permanently raspy singing voice that became her signature and earned her the nickname the “female Rod Stewart.”
In 1983, Tyler released “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” which became one of the best-selling singles of all time and catapulted her into a new echelon of fame. A year later, she did the same thing with her recording of “Holding Out for a Hero” from the Footloose soundtrack.
David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images
And while some artists may feel plagued by the most popular song in their repertoire, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” never lost its shine for Tyler.
"I never get tired of singing it," she told BBC News in January. "I love it because everyone can't wait to sing it."
As for her personal life, Tyler married property developer and Olympic judo competitor Robert Sullivan in 1973. The pair lived together in Portugal from 1988 until the day she died.
Following her death, music executive Judd Lander, who was also Tyler’s rep, reflected on her singularity.
“Bonnie was unique, she was a one-off, great sense of humor, a stunning voice and great stage presence,” he said in a statement to NBC News. “The world has lost one hell of a great talent!”
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