Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died, aged 75, after weeks in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery while in Portugal in May.
“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,” a message on her website and Facebook page told fans.
Singer Bonnie Tyler has died, aged 75. Ragnar Singsaas/Getty
Tyler, whose name at birth was Gaynor Hopkins, was famous for the ’80s hits Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding out for a Hero (from the 1984 Footloose soundtrack).
The news of her death crashed her official website with it receiving “too many requests”.
Last month the famed singer woke from her medically induced coma but friends said she remained “seriously ill”.
While it’s not known exactly what health condition Tyler had been battling, she had reportedly undergone “inconclusive tests in London”, according to The Sun.
Her condition began to deteriorate in April, not long after arriving in Faro, in Portugal’s southern Algarve region, where she had a second home.
The singer of 80s hit Total Eclipse of the Heart (pictured here in 2020) was at her second home in Portugal when her health took a turn. Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
After the singer experienced “intense abdominal pain” she was rushed to hospital with a serious tear in her bowel and had to undergo emergency surgery.
Following complications from the surgery, the singer was placed in a medically induced coma.
“Bonnie has been put into an induced coma by her doctors to aid her recovery,” a statement from Tyler’s manager said at the time.
“We know that you all wish her well and ask for privacy at this difficult time, please.”
Portuguese media claimed Tyler went into cardiac arrest when doctors first tried to bring her out of the coma weeks ago before a successful attempt last month.
Bonnie Tyler seen after a 1983 champagne reception to celebrate her album Faster Than The Speed of Night reaching No.1 in the UK. DAILY MIRROR
Her health battle was even brought up in parliament with Carolyn Harris MP asking others to send their well wishes to the music superstar.
“Bonnie has been an inspirational voice for generations, and I know people across Swansea, Wales and beyond will be united in wishing her a safe and speedy recovery,” Harris said at the time.
Tyler is survived by her husband, Robert Sullivan, 82, a property developer and former Olympic judo competitor who she married in 1973.
The couple met at a Swansea nightclub he managed and she performed at in 1970.
Bonnie Tyler and her husband Robert Sullivan pictured together in 2014 Gisela Schober/Getty Images for KARE Design
They credit getting married before Tyler became famous for keeping their marriage strong for more than 50 years.
Hit single’s legacy
Tyler earned three Grammy nods, represented Britain at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 — where she came in 19th — and was awarded an MBE for her services to music by Queen Elizabeth II in 2023, all largely thanks to Total Eclipse of the Heart.
This year the song surpassed 1 billion streams, boosted by being played during real eclipses in 2017 and 2024, more than 43 years after its release.
Tyler 1983 hit was covered many times by a number of artists. YouTube/BonnieTyler
The gothic music video – filmed in a former asylum in Surrey, England and directed by Australian Russell Mulcahy – has surpassed 1 billion views.
The song, which spent six weeks at No.1 on the ARIA charts, also had the honour of being the very first song to top the Australian Recording Industry Association’s (ARIA) newly created “Countdown chart” in July 1983.
In 2017, Tyler performed her biggest hit with Joe Jonas’ band DNCE during the special Total Eclipse Cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, during the first total solar eclipse to cross the entire US continent in 99 years.
The 1983 song has never really gone away and has been covered a number of times, including by English singer Nicki French in 1995, Irish boy band Westlife in 2006, and One Direction in 2010 on the UK version of The X Factor.
Bonnie Tyler and DNCE perform on Oasis of the Seas during their Total Eclipse Cruise Supplied/Royal Caribbean
Australian actress Cate Blanchett sang it while hitting Billy Bob Thornton with her car in 2001’s Bandits and it appeared at a wedding scene in 2003’s Old School.
Tyler’s album Faster Than the Speed of Night earned her a Grammy nomination for best rock vocal performance in 1984, which she lost to Pat Benatar’s Love Is a Battlefield.
Tyler got another nod for Total Eclipse of the Heart in 1984 in the best pop vocal performance category, losing to Irene Cara’s Flashdance — What a Feeling.
Then, 1985 delivered a nod for best rock vocal performance for the song Here She Comes but lost out to Tina Turner’s Better Be Good To Me.
Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Prince William on February 1, 2023. AP
‘Lost a true icon’
Tyler’s fellow ’80s popstar Cliff Richard said the singer had an “infectious zest for life” and was “a good friend to all, including me”.
The 85-year-old added that he saddened to be mourning “another wonderful friend gone too soon”.
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams said Tyler “had such a great voice and I’ll always be grateful of her beautiful version of Straight From The Heart”.
Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones, who had Tyler perform at her wedding to Michael Douglas, shared a photo of the pair together and revealed a family connection in her sweet tribute.
“Bonnie was married to my cousin and has been such a part of my life,” she said.
Catherine Zeta Jones and Bonnie Tyler the night before the actress married Michael Douglas Instagram/Catherine Zeta Jones
“We are photographed here together the night before my wedding. [Tyler] sang and rocked it at my wedding. An extraordinary woman with vocals to match.
“A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met.
“Thank you Bonnie for the joy you brought so many. Sleep tight beautiful lady.”
Welsh TV personality Carol Vorderman said the singer would be “very very sorely missed”.
Welsh TV personality Carol Vorderman said the singer (pictured at Eurovision in 2013) would be “very very sorely missed”. AP Photo/Alastair Grant
“I am a Welsh woman, and believe me in Wales Bonnie Tyler is regarded as a legend – particularly amongst women,” Vorderman said in a tribute video shared on Instagram.
“She was extraordinary. I met her a number of times. She was very real. She was always laughing, asking questions, always having a good time.”
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled Tyler “one of Britain’s greatest recording artists”.
“An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music – from Total Eclipse Of The Heart, to Holding Out For A Hero – which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths,” the PM’s official spokesperson said.
Welsh First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth was among the first to take to social media to pay tribute to the local superstar.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bonnie Tyler,” he wrote on X.
“Wales has lost a true icon, whose music brought joy to so many. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans across the world.”
– Reported with Associated Press.