NEWSBonnie Tyler: Inside Her Life in Photos Following Her Tragic Death at 75
Bonnie Tyler became one of the most recognizable voices in music industry and her career that spanned more than five decades.
July 9 2026, Updated 12:22 p.m. ET
Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer known for her signature raspy voice and 1980s hits, has died at 75.
Best known for hits like “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” she enjoyed a five-decade career and remained a beloved performer worldwide.
Tyler was found dead unexpectedly at a hospital in Portugal after complications from an illness following emergency intestinal surgery.
From a 1970s Breakthrough to Global Fame
Bonnie Tyler rose to fame in the late 1970s before becoming an international music star.
Tyler's journey to stardom began in the 1970s.
While her debut single, "My! My! Honeycomb," failed to chart in 1976, she quickly found success with its follow-up, "Lost in France," which introduced her distinctive voice to audiences.
After undergoing vocal surgery later in the decade, she developed the husky voice that became her signature sound.
At the same time, she embraced a tougher musical style, blending rock, country and pop while releasing songs such as "(The World Is Full of) Married Men."
Bonnie Tyler found worldwide success with a string of chart-topping hits throughout the 1980s.
Her biggest breakthrough came in 1983 when she teamed up with songwriter and producer Jim Steinman. Together they created "Total Eclipse of the Heart," the dramatic power ballad that became Tyler's defining hit and topped charts.
She followed that success with another iconic song, "Holding Out for a Hero," which appeared on the Footloose soundtrack. In 1984, Tyler also enjoyed a Top 10 duet with Shakin' Stevens on "A Rockin' Good Way (to Mess Around and Fall in Love)."
A Career That Spanned Decades
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Bonnie Tyler remained a familiar face on stage, television and major music events throughout her career.
Although her commercial success shifted largely to continental Europe during the 1990s, Tyler never stopped recording or performing.
She also collaborated with Mike Oldfield on his 1987 album "Islands" and continued touring throughout Europe.
In the early 2000s, she returned to the U.K. charts with a greatest hits collection and scored a major hit in France after re-recording "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with singer Kareen Antonn.
Eurovision, Memoir and Her Final Years
Bonnie Tyler represented the United Kingdom at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest with her song 'Believe in Me.'
Tyler represented the United Kingdom at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, performing "Believe in Me." Although she finished 19th, the appearance introduced her to a new generation of fans and helped return her to the U.K. album charts.
She continued making public appearances in the years that followed, including performing at the Vatican Christmas Concert in December 2019 and appearing on ITV's This Morning in 2023.
That same year, Tyler released her memoir, Straight from the Heart, reflecting on her remarkable career and personal life.
Even in her 70s, she remained committed to live music, performing concerts across Europe.
One of her final major performances took place at Berlin's Theater am Potsdamer Platz in May 2025, highlighting the lasting impact of her iconic voice in pop music.
Bonnie Tyler's Family Life and Lasting Marriage
Bonnie Tyler balanced her successful music career with a long marriage to husband Robert Sullivan.
Tyler often credited her strong work ethic to her upbringing near Swansea, saying, "I do an awful lot [of performances] because I feel other people would love to be offered what I’m offered."
Her personal life remained steady throughout her career. She was married to property developer Robert Sullivan, who was also a member of Great Britain's judo team at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
