Roberta Flack, the iconic R&B singer best known for hits like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” has passed away Monday morning (Feb. 24) at age 88. Her representatives confirmed her death in a statement released on February 24, 2025, noting that Flack died peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
“We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning,” the statement read. “Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator.”
Flack scored major chart successes with songs such as “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” which became a No. 1 hit, and the unforgettable “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Other hits included “Feel Like Makin’ Love,” “Where Is The Love,” and “The Closer I Get To You.” The Fugees famously covered “Killing Me Softly,” introducing the classic track to a new generation.
Following the news of Roberta Flack’s passing, several celebrities paid tribute to the music legend on social media. Questlove of The Roots shared a black-and-white photo of Flack on Instagram, captioning it, “Thank You Roberta Flack. Rest In Melody.”
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Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also honored Flack, writing simply on his page, “Roberta Forever.”
Kelly Rowland expressed her deep sorrow on X, formerly known as Twitter: “My heart just sank!! Our Dear Ms. Roberta Flack has ascended beyond but what beauty she has left us with!! THANK YOU for your effortless, most beautiful gift! THANK YOU for being a part of the soundtrack to the most tender moments in my life! So Grateful for you!”
My heart just sank!! Our Dear Ms.Roberta Flack has ascended beyond but what beauty she has left us with!! THANK YOU for your effortless, most beautiful gift!
THANK YOU for being apart of the soundtrack to the most tender moments in my life! So Grateful for you!
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ pic.twitter.com/z3x6BFInCv— KELENDRIA ROWLAND (@KELLYROWLAND) February 24, 2025
Jennifer Hudson, another powerhouse singer, added, “So sad to hear of Roberta Flack’s passing. One of the great soul singers of all time. Rest well, Ms. Flack. Your legacy lives on!!!”
In addition to her storied musical career, Flack was also a committed ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Her support for LGBTQ+ rights and causes began early in her career. In the late 1960s, she performed in a Georgetown restaurant that catered to a gay clientele. She often spoke about the impact this had on her and the awareness it gave her about LGBTQ+ culture.
In a 1979 interview, Flack recalled that performing for a gay audience opened up “a whole new world” for her. She later dedicated songs to the community, including her 1969 cover of “Ballad of the Sad Young Men,” which she said resonated deeply with gay men. “I sang [‘Ballad of the Sad Young Men’] about soldiers, then, later, about gay men. It touches me deeply every time,” she told The Guardian.
Flack’s commitment to LGBTQ+ causes continued throughout her career. In 1982, she sang the theme song for Making Love, a controversial film that depicted a romance between two men, further solidifying her role as an ally. More recently, her music was featured on the soundtrack of the FX series Pose, which spotlighted the lives of queer and trans communities in the 1980s.
Flack shared her excitement on social media when her music appeared on the Pose soundtrack, writing: “Celebrating #Pride with a look back at this touching scene in the groundbreaking TV series Pose… I am thrilled to be featured in the soundtrack of a show that spotlights the triumphs and trials of ‘80s queer and trans communities and culture. #Love is beautiful in all forms!”
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Roberta Flack’s legacy as both a musical icon and a staunch ally to the LGBTQ+ community leaves an indelible mark on both the entertainment world and beyond.
