Bonnie Tyler, singer of 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' dies at 75
Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer known for her husky voice and the 1983 hit 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' has died at age 75 after a period of ill health.
Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer whose distinctive husky voice and bombastic 1983 power ballad 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' made her a global star, has died at the age of 75 after a period of ill health.
Born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, Wales, she grew up in a musical family and began her career singing in local clubs. After early success with singles like 'Lost in France' (1976) and 'It's a Heartache' (1977), she worked with songwriter Jim Steinman, who initially turned her down but changed his mind after hearing her demos with a rockier edge. The result was 'Total Eclipse of the Heart,' a song Steinman had originally written for a Nosferatu musical. It topped charts in 10 countries and sold 6 million copies, with its gothic music video accumulating over a billion views on YouTube.
Tyler's husky voice was a result of not resting after vocal cord surgery in 1977. She continued to record and tour throughout her career, with hits like 'Holding Out for a Hero' (1984) and collaborations including a 2025 track with David Guetta and Hypaton. She performed at the Kremlin and Manchester's Gay Pride festival, and was appointed MBE in 2023. She is survived by her husband Robert Sullivan.
