Roberta Flack, the iconic pop and R&B vocalist known for timeless hits like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has passed away at 88, according to her representative. No cause of death was cited.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” the statement reads, according to Variety. “She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack rose to prominence in the early 1970s when Clint Eastwood featured The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me. The song became a No. 1 hit, followed by Killing Me Softly, which earned her consecutive Grammy Awards for Record of the Year.
Born in Black Mountain, N.C., Flack was a child prodigy who entered Howard University at 15 on a full scholarship. Throughout her career, she amassed 13 Grammy nominations, with her soulful, piano-driven style leaving a lasting impact on music.
She is survived by her son, musician Bernard Wright.