Roberta Flack, a legendary R&B and pop singer who came to fame with 1970s hits such as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” died on Monday at age 88.

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

No cause of death was given. In November 2022, a spokesperson for Flack confirmed that the singer was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, according to her publicist. ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles.

Flack, a North Carolina native, influenced generations of musicians during her distinguished career. She was best known as a romantic balladeer, delighting fans with her radio hits and topping Billboard charts with her “quiet storm” sound.

Along with “Killing Me Softly” and “The First Time,” Flack’s enduring singles included “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” “The Closer I Get to You,” “Where Is the Love” and more.

’The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” stood out on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood’s 1971 thriller “Play Misty For Me,” and the movie’s success helped spur her stardom.

Flack released about 20 studio albums during her lifetime, 1969-2012, along with live albums and greatest hits compilations. Her partnership with another majestic singer, Donny Hathaway, resulted in a million-selling record in 1972, “Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway,” with renditions of “Where Is the Love,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and more.

Flack earned four Grammy Awards — including two back-to-back trophies for Record of the Year in 1973-1974 — and 14 nominations from the Recording Academy. She also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2020.

“I am humbled and honored to be recognized in the company of such esteemed and diverse talents,” Flack said in response to the lifetime achievement award. “The dreams and love that we sing of connect our hearts — reaching across oceans, generations, and time. Our music is the legacy we leave to our children, the world’s future.”

Although her pure, lovely voice was revered by the public, and abundantly praised by fans and colleagues, Flack was a skillful pianist, as well. She had classical training and a background in opera, along with a longstanding passion for education.

Before her breakthrough as a recording artist, Flack excelled as a piano prodigy. She earned a full music scholarship to Howard University at the age of 15, and was one of the youngest students ever to enter the iconic HBCU in Washington, D.C.

“She soon moved from specializing in piano studies to a music education major,” the statement from her publicist said. “Flack had been told that hope for being a classical concert pianist was improbable, given racial barriers in America. The change in majors, though, afforded her other opportunities, such as voice training, which was something she hadn’t concentrated on before.

“She became assistant conductor of the university choir, and she directed a production of Verdi’s ‘Aida’ that received a standing ovation from the Howard University faculty. She hoped to become an opera singer. But her father’s sudden death in 1959 caused Flack to put that dream on hold. She returned to North Carolina and took a job teaching music in public schools. A year later she returned to D.C., where she taught at several middle and high schools for nearly a decade — the start of her lifelong commitment to education.”

Flack emphasized her dedication to teaching in an interview with The Birmingham News, a few days before her January 2005 show at the BJCC Concert Hall.

“Once a teacher, always a teacher — people have told me that,“ Flack said. ”But it’s also a matter of investing in the community.”

At the time, the iconic signer was balancing her touring commitments with recording sessions, social and political activism, and the management of her own label, Real Artists Symposium. She also was working to open the Roberta Flack School of Music, a $3 million project planned for two brownstones Flack owned on 126th Street in Harlem. The school opened in 2006, providing free music education to underprivileged students.

In 2010, she also established the Roberta Flack Foundation, to support music education and animal welfare.

“I’m so passionate about what I believe in,” Flack told The Birmingham News. “It’s a daunting fact that I don’t have enough time in 24 hours to do what I want to do, and very, very well.”

Well into her 60s, Flack said she was happy to play her signature songs in concert, although she had done so countless times before.

“It gets hard to sing the same thing over and over again,” she told The Birmingham News. ”But you don’t ever want to seem ungrateful.”

Flack also mentioned that she was sorting through personal notes and letters, probing her memories and gathering photos for a memoir. While preparing to write a book, the star said, she had her legacy in mind.

“I want people to say, ‘She made a difference,’ and be able to define that,” Flack said.

Flack suffered a stroke in 2016 that affected her voice and ended her performing career, her publicist said. But she continued her efforts in the music world and participated in the making of “Roberta,” a 2022 documentary about her life.

In 2023, Flack published an autobiographical children’s book, “The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music,” in collaboration with writer Tonya Bolden and illustrator Hayden Goodman.

That year, Flack was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music.

“I wish that I could meet each of you, but through my words, know that I love you and am so proud of you,” Flack said in a speech delivered by her friend and former student, Gabrielle Goodman. “Your future lies ahead of you and is as bright as you are.”

As news of Flack’s death emerged on Monday, stars such as Carole King and Jennifer Hudson posted tributes to her memory on social media.

“Rest In Peace Roberta Flack,” Carole King said on Bluesky.

“So sad to hear of Roberta Flack’s passing,” Jennifer Hudson said on X (formerly Twitter). “One of the great soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on!!!”