Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, whose powerful vocals helped make Total Eclipse of the Heart one of the defining hits of the 1980s, has died at the age of 75. Get today's headlines by email A statement published on her official website said Tyler died unexpectedly on Wednesday night in a hospital in Portugal after being treated for an illness. Death Confirmed by FamilyBorn Gaynor Hopkins in south Wales, Tyler rose to international fame with a string of chart successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Her signature hit, Total Eclipse of the Heart, became a worldwide bestseller and surpassed one billion streams on Spotify earlier this year. Career Defined by Global HitsDespite its enduring popularity, Tyler previously said she earned very little from the song because it was written by someone else. Her stage name was chosen after she browsed a newspaper, selecting first and last names that appealed to her before launching her recording career. Health StrugglesTyler had been seriously ill in recent months. In May, she underwent emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal and was placed in an induced coma. Her spokesperson said last month that she had emerged from the coma but remained in intensive care and was still critically unwell. Tributes Pour InTributes have begun pouring in following news of her death. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Tyler as one of Britain's greatest recording artists. A Downing Street spokesperson said the prime minister was saddened by the loss of "an iconic figure" whose music, including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, continues to resonate with audiences, fill dance floors and remain karaoke favourites. "The prime minister's thoughts are very much with her friends and family," the spokesperson added. Join the discussion? 9 July 2026
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