Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler died unexpectedly Wednesday night in a hospital in Portugal, according to an official statement published on her website. Her death was the result of the illness for which she had been receiving treatment at the hospital.
"Bonnie's family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for," the statement said. "We will be issuing a further statement in due course, but ask for privacy at this time as we come to terms with this tragedy."
In May, Tyler, who was born in Skewen, South Wales, was placed in an induced coma after undergoing emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. Last month, her spokesperson said she had come out of the coma but remained "very unwell and in intensive care."
Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, grew up in public housing in Neath. She was discovered by talent scout Roger Bell at a club in Swansea and released her first single, "Lost in France," in 1977. "It's a Heartache," her country-pop ballad released that same year, reached No. 4 on the UK singles chart and No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Her biggest hit, the rock anthem "Total Eclipse of the Heart," came six years later, in 1983, and this time topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. The dramatic song, written by Meat Loaf songwriter Jim Steinman, was originally called "Vampires in Love," because it had been written for a musical version of "Nosferatu."
She is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan.
