Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer renowned for her soul-stirring hits, died peacefully surrounded by family on February 24, 2025, at age 88.

Photo Credit: Roberta Flack by annulla / CC by 2.0

Born in North Carolina in 1937, Flack began her musical journey as a classical pianist, earning a scholarship to Howard University at just 15 years old. Jazz musician Les McCann discovered her performing at Mr. Henry's nightclub in Washington, D.C., leading to her signing with Atlantic Records.

Her breakthrough came with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from her 1969 debut album First Take. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972 and earned two Grammy Awards. She followed this success with numerous hits including "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love."

Flack's influence extended beyond her era when the Fugees covered "Killing Me Softly" in 1996, introducing her music to a new generation. Her achievements include a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and performing for Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

Committed to music education, she founded the Roberta Flack School of Music at the Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, providing free music education to underprivileged students.

In November 2022, Flack was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), which ended her singing career. Despite health challenges, including a stroke in 2016, she remained active in music until her later years.

Fellow artists, including Carole King and Jennifer Hudson, paid tribute to Flack's lasting legacy in soul music. Her family remembered her as both a boundary-breaking artist and proud educator who touched countless lives through her music.

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