Tributes are pouring in for Bonnie Tyler after her family announced Thursday that the Welsh singer has died, aged 75.
Tyler had previously been placed in an induced coma after having emergency intestinal surgery near her home in Faro, Portugal, in May.
In June, her spokesperson said the Welsh-born star was “no longer in a coma” but remained “very unwell” and in intensive care.
On Thursday, a message from her family on the singer’s website said: “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 from.”
“We will issue a further statement shortly, but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”
Downing Street has said Sir Keir Starmer was “saddened” to hear of her death, saying the Welsh singer was “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.
Also paying tribute was Sir Cliff Richard, who wrote that she was a “wonderful friend gone too soon”.
In a post shared on Facebook, he said: “Bonnie’s infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world, and to be a good friend to all, including me.
“It is shocking news to wake up to this morning and I send my love to her family at this very sad time.”
Sir Rod Stewart, Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley and Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies are among the stars who added to tributes.
So sad to hear about Bonnie Tyler.
She was an incredible woman, so kind and friendly to me as a young artist. Over the years, we met several times and she was always the same Bonnie. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/kWhb37vh4c
— Tony Hadley (@TheTonyHadley) July 9, 2026
Pop star Sir Rod referenced his live cover of one of Tyler’s hits in a post on Instagram: “We shared similar styles of vocalising.
“She was a good pal, a true soul stirrer.
“I sing It’s A Heartache every night on tour. I’ll miss you darling Bonnie.”
Hadley said of Tyler on X: “She was an incredible woman, so kind and friendly to me as a young artist. Over the years, we met several times and she was always the same Bonnie.
“Her voice was truly amazing and standing next to her you really got to feel her power. A beautiful legend.”
Meanwhile, Doctor Who showrunner Davies praised the “fabulous” singer whom he had “loved” since his teens.
Tyler, whose real name is Gaynor Hopkins, rocketed to international fame in the 1980s, with the release of her hit single Total Eclipse Of The Heart which shot to the top of the charts in the UK and US.
Recognisable for her husky voice, Tyler has released many hit songs over the years, including Holding Out For A Hero, It’s A Heartache and If You Were A Woman (And I Was A Man).
The Grammy-nominated star was also due to tour Europe later this year to mark 50 years since the release of her 1976 breakthrough hit, Lost In France, which entered the charts across Europe.
Tyler was scheduled to perform in Malta and Germany, and her upcoming tour also included shows across the UK, as well as in Austria, Hungary, Turkey and Romania.
The singer also represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden, with the song Believe In Me, finishing in 19th place.
She was made an MBE in 2023 for her services to music, after being named in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.
Tyler was born in Skewen, Neath, in South Wales, the daughter of Glyndwr Hopkins, a coal miner, and his wife, Elsie (nee Lewis), and grew up in a council house with three sisters and two brothers.
She grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and the Beatles – although her favourites were Janis Joplin and Tina Turner – and had a deeply religious background, attending chapel three times a day on Sundays.
It was there that she gave her first public performance as child with a rendition of the hymn All Things Bright And Beautiful.
Having left school at 16 with no qualifications, in 1969 she was entered into a local talent contest by an aunt, finishing second.
Although the prize money was just £1, she was encouraged by her success to pursue a career in music, initially finding work as a backing singer with Bobby Wayne and the Dixies.
In 1975 Tyler was spotted performing in the Townsman Club in Swansea by talent scout Roger Bell who invited her to London to record a demo tape, and months later she was offered her first recording contract by RCA who advised her to change her name.
Her debut single My! My! Honeycomb didn’t perform well, but the follow-up – Lost In France – became her first hit, reaching number nine in the UK singles chart, leading to her debut appearance on Top Of The Pops.
It was after this hit that she began to develop a sore throat, and was told she had developed nodules on her vocal cords, leading to them being surgically removed.
Once the operation was done, Tyler was advised to rest her voice completely for six weeks, which she could not do.
She was later told she may have suffered permanent damage when her voice developed a gravelly rasp – but her producers loved it.
“When I went into the studio they all said, ‘Bloody ‘ell, where’s that voice come from?’ I now sounded like a female Rod Stewart,” Tyler said.
Six years later, her new trademark sound found its perfect setting on Total Eclipse Of The Heart, a soaring, over-the-top power ballad that topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic.
