The iconic voice behind “Killing Me Softly,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” and celebrated duets with Donny Hathaway and Peabo Bryson leaves behind a timeless musical legacy.

Roberta Flack, the renowned American singer whose soulful voice defined an era, has passed away at the age of 88. A statement from her representative confirmed: “With heavy hearts, we share that Roberta Flack peacefully departed on 24 February 2025, surrounded by loved ones. She was a trailblazer, an inspiration, and a dedicated educator.”

Flack was revered for her ability to transcend musical genres, weaving elements of soul, R&B, jazz, and classical influences into her work. Her emotive vocal style captured the essence of love in all its forms, cementing her status as one of the most influential artists of her time.

Born in Black Mountain, North Carolina, in 1937, Flack was immersed in music from an early age, with her mother serving as a church choir organist. A prodigious talent, she began playing piano at nine and earned a full scholarship to Howard University at just 15. Initially aspiring to be an opera singer, she later pursued teaching while performing in Washington DC nightclubs, seamlessly blending genres in her sets.

Her breakthrough came in 1968 when she landed a residency at Mr Henry’s Restaurant. This led to an introduction to jazz musician Les McCann, who facilitated her signing with Atlantic Records. Flack recorded her debut album, First Take, in just ten hours, capturing the essence of her early performances. However, it wasn’t until 1971 that her career skyrocketed—her rendition of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, featured in Clint Eastwood’s Play Misty for Me, topped the US charts for six weeks, earning her a Grammy for Record of the Year.

The following year, Killing Me Softly With His Song cemented her place in music history, making her the first artist to win back-to-back Record of the Year Grammys, a feat later matched only by U2 and Billie Eilish. She continued her success with Feel Like Makin’ Love and memorable collaborations with Donny Hathaway, including Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You. After Hathaway’s passing, Flack found further success alongside Peabo Bryson, scoring a UK hit with Tonight, I Celebrate My Love.

Flack’s innovative approach to music saw her collaborate with icons such as Michael Jackson and Miles Davis while influencing a new generation of artists. Her impact extended beyond R&B, as she became a pioneer of the quiet storm genre, inspiring artists like Erykah Badu and the Fugees—whose version of Killing Me Softly became a defining hit of the 1990s.

Despite facing health challenges, including a stroke in 2016, Flack remained devoted to music. In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers, further showcasing her artistic depth.

Tributes have poured in from across the music industry, with singer Peabo Bryson hailing her as an “extraordinary talent and dear friend,” while Jennifer Hudson described her as “one of the greatest soul singers of all time.”

Flack’s personal life included a marriage to jazz musician Steve Novosel, which ended in 1972. Though private about her later years, she continued to be a revered figure in music until her passing.

Her legacy endures through the timeless songs that defined her career and the countless artists she inspired.