Roberta Flack, "Killing me softly" singer, dead at 88

Roberta Flack, the Grammy-winning singer whose velvety voice and heartfelt ballads captivated audiences for decades, has passed away at the age of 88.

“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025,” her representative said in a statement to The Post. “She died peacefully, surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”

In her later years, Flack battled multiple health challenges, including ALS, which she publicly revealed in late 2022. The progressive disease made it difficult for her to speak and impossible to sing. “But it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon,” her manager Suzanne Koga said at the time. Despite her illness, Flack remained engaged in creative pursuits, continuing her musical legacy through her foundation.

Born in North Carolina to a church organist mother, Flack displayed prodigious talent from a young age, mastering classical piano before earning a scholarship to Howard University at just 15. Her remarkable musicianship led to a contract with Atlantic Records, where she launched a legendary career.

She rose to international fame with timeless hits like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which Clint Eastwood featured in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me, and Killing Me Softly With His Song, both of which earned her back-to-back Grammy Awards for Record of the Year in 1973 and 1974—an unprecedented feat. Her sultry Feel Like Makin’ Love followed in 1974, further cementing her status as one of the defining voices of her generation.

Over the course of her illustrious career, Flack won five Grammys out of 14 nominations and released 15 albums, the last being her 2012 Beatles tribute Let It Be Roberta. Her influence on music remains immeasurable, as her voice and artistry continue to inspire generations of musicians and fans.

The New York Post contributed to this article.