Context:

Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh star behind Total Eclipse of the Heart, died at 75 in a Portugal hospital after an illness that had she in treatment and led to emergency intestinal surgery in May and a medically induced coma. She recovered briefly in June but remained very unwell, forcing the cancellation of her European tour. Tributes poured in from officials who honored her as a Welsh music icon and one of Britain’s greatest recording artists. She is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan, with no children.

Dive Deeper:

• Tyler underwent emergency intestinal surgery in May and was placed in a medically induced coma to aid recovery; she later emerged from the coma in June but remained in intensive care and was described as very unwell.

• Her summer European tour was canceled due to her medical condition, and there were ongoing statements from her team about the illness for which she was being treated.

• She rose to fame with enduring hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero, the latter written by Jim Steinman during the 1980s work with Meatloaf.

• A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed that he was saddened by the death and called her one of Britain’s greatest recording artists, while Wales Secretary of State Jo Stevens lauded her as a Welsh music icon.

• Tyler is survived by her husband of more than five decades, Robert Sullivan; the couple had no children.