Bonnie Tyler, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' singer, dies aged 75

musicJul 9, 202631658

Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer whose husky voice made 1980s anthems such as Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, has died aged 75. A message on her Facebook page said Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal from the illness she was being treated for. In May she underwent emergency intestinal surgery at a hospital near Faro, was put into an induced coma, was later taken out of the coma but remained very unwell in intensive care. Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen near Swansea, rose from singing in local clubs and working in a grocery shop to international fame after signing with RCA and adopting her stage name. Her hits included 1983’s Total Eclipse of the Heart, which reached No 1 in the US and the UK, 1977’s It’s a Heartache, which reached No 3 in the US and No 4 in the UK, and Holding Out for a Hero, which reached No 2 in the UK in 1984 and featured on the Footloose soundtrack. Jim Steinman gave Tyler Total Eclipse of the Heart; the original seven minute epic was shortened for radio and became an enormous hit. Her family and team made the announcement of her death.

The Guardian

@theguardian.com

Bonnie Tyler, 80s pop legend known for Total Eclipse of the Heart and more, dies aged 75

1944h ago

Miriam4

Rest in Peace Bonnie Tyler, you absolute legend. 💔💔

🇨🇵 Clare Price-Jones 🇪🇺3

Sad news, no great age

citizenfra.bsky.social3

Goodbye to the great big voice of my best years, thank you Bonnie. Wishing you a safe new journey

Mario2

It was an awesome time. R.I.P.

Prometheus1

🙏🏾RIP Thank you for bring your joy to the world!

Top Cat Ollie1

Her pop video for Total Eclipse was the origin of the MILF/cougar fantasy.

Quoting this

Jane19

No longer holding out for a hero. RIP Bonnie Tyler.

🩸💀 The Horror Guru 💀🩸17

Rest in peace to a legend. 😢

Patrick McGahon12

Rest in peace Bonnie Tyler 😢 x

Drikabsolvida8

Que Madonna a tenha em glórias na Eterna Pista de Dança, setor divas.

Andreas Lindh6

Once upon a time she was falling in love, now she has ramlat av pinnen.

maricona confessionária5

isso aqui me entristeceu tanto que eu nem sei! a notificação veio enquanto eu tava em chamada com a minha terapeuta, e não consegui dar a devida atenção na hora… mas que tristeza viu?

Nil3

Sad news. Had a good reminisce on Bonnie a few weeks back with @louiseann.bsky.social . Total eclipse was my unofficial wedding song bsky.app/profile/loui...

Lori Lou Freshwater3

Hope is like a tiger 🤍

William Ham Bevan3

What a loss. She was 100% Swansea, from hair to heels. Everyone had a story about her and everyone was proud of her.

Nate2

to triste real, cresci com minha mãe ouvindo ela

Julie Cohen ❌👑

@filmmakerjulie.bsky.social

If you grew up when I grew up, Total Eclipse of the Heart is deep in your bones. NY Times obit says it danced “on the edge of camp.” No it was OVER the edge. That was the point. RIP Bonnie Tyler. m.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOx...

1272h ago

Julie Cohen ❌👑25

And once you’ve revisited the real thing, don’t forget this brilliant homage to Total Eclipse - the best in the “literal video” series. m.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgW...

KLW3

Belted it out every time it came on the radio. A classic.

Steveaggy.bsky.social❌️👑2

Can we not forget this was due to the songwriting chops of Jim "Wagner Can Kiss My Ass" Steinman?

cirroccojones.bsky.social1

It's just raw emotion and angst. It's forthright and honest, with lyrics that cut deep. Sorry to hear of her passing.

Robert Hill1

Jim Steinman never wrote ANYTHING that stayed on any kind of edge.

Brittany Andrews1

It's impossible not to sing along when a Bonnie Tyler song comes on.

Quoting this

Mae ☮️ ✍🏻2

Women understand. Total Eclipse of the Heart is how we vented our spleen, you might say. Men didn't get it. RIP, Bonnie - and thank you.

michael lutz

@ztul.bsky.social

My Bonnie Tyler-related story: years ago, in the "literal music video" era, my friend posted the one for Total Eclipse of the Heart on Facebook, and his mom made one of the funniest comments I've ever read: "This is only funny to people who have never experienced a real total eclipse of the heart."

761h ago

Smoketypething2

Hearts only do this when they are very distressed!!

Rolling Stone

@rollingstone.com

Bonnie Tyler, Eighties Pop Powerhouse Behind ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart,’ Dead at 75 Read: www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

301h ago

Mr. Cait

@chas.bsky.social

Total Eclipse of The Heart is the best Jim Steinman song from a catalogue of insane, operatic, pure bangers. Bonnie Tyler delivered that masterpiece from the tips of her toes to the top of her head. Sleep well.

401h ago

Mr. Cait26

I mean, living in a powder keg and giving off sparks. I really need you tonight. Forever’s gonna start tonight. Forever’s gonna start to— once upon a time I was falling in love, now I’m only falling apart. Sweet Christ.

Anne Stickney2

And the music video was pure unhinged cinema

Guardian US

@us.theguardian.com

Welsh singer and Eurovision entrant’s other hits included Footloose soundtrack smash Holding Out for a Hero

242h ago

Quoting this

Emily Bell12

Oh no. Let’s hope somewhere she is forever living in a powder keg, giving off sparks

Brónagh 🇮🇪🇵🇸🚴‍♀️

@beebsymca.eurosky.social

This has really made me so sad. Bonnie Tyler was iconic. She embraced that song and unafraid to enjoy it (she has so many other great songs too). I'm so glad we went to see her this year. Her live show was everything I wanted it to be and belting out Total Eclipse with hundreds of others was joy.

273h ago

Bungle Bearskunk

@bearskunk.bsky.social

Just heard the news about Bonnie Tyler - Welsh legend, beautiful voice, honestly her work was a formative part of my life growing up. Rest in peace you wonderful woman ❤️

102h ago

Elder Skunk of the North1

Oh man, what a voice

Flinty Paws1

Oh nooo :( RIP Bonnie

Patrick Samphire 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@patricksamphire.bsky.social

Oh, what a shame. She was such a wonderful singer.

103h ago

Paul at SuperDeluxeEdition.com

@super-deluxe.bsky.social

Very sad news.... RIP #BonnieTyler, who has died aged 75 > bit.ly/4y99Qnu

81h ago

SuzyQ

@suzyqfit4u.bsky.social

Bonnie Tyler has died unexpectedly, from an illness while in in a hospital in Portugal. Wow, her songs were wonderful. Rest in peace Bonnie Tyler.

91h ago

Chris Winwood

@chrispywindy.bsky.social

Oh no! Poor Bonnie. A horrible illness over the last couple of months. She’s always been a fave of mine. 😔 #BonnieTyler www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9...

83h ago

Hermit-girl🧦🧣☕

@scottish-rocinante.bsky.social

Morning all,hope you can stay cool.Nearly made it to the weekend. Also Bonny Tyler has died.She was amazing. #music www.theguardian.com/music/2026/j...

83h ago