July 9 (THEWILL) — Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, best known for her global hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” has died at the age of 75.
Her family and team announced the news in a statement on her official website on Thursday, July 9, saying the singer “unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.”
“We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy,” the statement added.
Tyler had been receiving treatment in Portugal after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in May 2026. She was later placed in an induced coma and remained in intensive care.
Born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, South Wales, Tyler began her music career in the 1970s after being discovered by talent scout Roger Bell.
She released her first single, “Lost in France,” in 1977 before achieving worldwide success with “It’s a Heartache,” which became a major hit in the UK and the United States.
Her biggest song, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” was released in 1983 and became a global hit, reaching number one in both the UK and US charts.
Written by Jim Steinman, the song remains one of the most famous power ballads of all time.
Tyler also found success with “Holding Out for a Hero,” which featured on the “Footloose” movie soundtrack and later appeared in films including “Shrek 2.”
During her career, Tyler received three Grammy Award nominations, represented the UK at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, and was awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2023 for her services to music.
Her legacy continued through the years, with “Total Eclipse of the Heart” surpassing one billion streams on Spotify.
Tyler is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan.
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
