Roberta Flack, the iconic vocalist who rose to stardom in the 1970s with hits like “Killing Me Softly with His Song” and “Where Is the Love,” passed away on Monday, as confirmed by her publicist. She was 88.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” wrote Elaine Schock, her publicist, in a statement. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family.”
Find out more about her and her personal life below.
Who Was Roberta Flack?
Born on February 10, 1937, in North Carolina, Flack was the daughter of a church organist and began playing classical piano at a young age. She entered Howard University in Washington, D.C., at the age of 15 on a full scholarship.
She went on to become a Grammy-winning artist known for hits like her version of “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” all of which earned her top spots on the Billboard charts. Flack was nominated for Grammy Awards 14 times and won 4, according to the Grammys.
In the statement issued by her publicist following her passing, it was noted, “Roberta broke boundaries and records,” adding that “She was also a proud educator.” According to Variety, she taught school in North Carolina and the District of Columbia.
“I was teaching at Banneker Junior High in Washington, D.C. It was part of the city where kids weren’t that privileged, but they were privileged enough to have music education. I really wanted them to read music. First, I’d get their attention. (Flack starts singing a Supremes hit) ‘Stop, in the name of love.’ Then I could teach them!” she told the Tampa Bay Times in 2012. “You have to do all sorts of things when you’re dealing with kids in the inner-city,” she said. “I knew they’d like the part where (‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’) goes ‘The first time ever I kissed your mouth.’ Ooh, ‘Kissed your mouth!’ Once the kids got past the giggles, we were good.”
She also devoted significant time to the Roberta Flack School of Music in New York, which primarily serves students between the ages of 6 and 14.
Was Roberta Flack Married?
Flack was not married at the time of her death, but she was previously married to fellow musician Steve Novosel from 1966 to 1972.
Did Roberta Flack Have Kids?
Flack did not have children of her own, but she was the aunt of well-known figure skater Rory Flack and the godmother of late musician Bernard Wright, who tragically died in 2022 after being hit by a car while crossing a street in Dallas.
Flack shared a post on Facebook following his passing: “Last night, my godson and former musical director, Bernard Wright, passed away suddenly. I loved Bernard very much and believed deeply in his talent. His loss is heartbreaking.”
How Was Roberta Flack’s Health?
During a 2018 performance at New York City’s Apollo Theater, Flack felt unwell and had to leave the venue. It was later revealed that she had suffered a stroke years earlier.
In 2020, Flack was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to R&B, particularly her influence on the Quiet Storm subgenre. She declined to give a speech at the time and stepped away from performing in 2022 due to health issues, which were later revealed to be a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the same year.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological condition that impairs a person’s ability to control their muscles, with the disease worsening over time.
