Oscar-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has led tributes to singer Bonnie Tyler, known for hits including "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero," who has died at the age of 75. The popular Welsh powerhouse singer died unexpectedly on Wednesday night at a Portugal hospital, as a result of the illness that she was being treated for, her family said in a heartbroken statement released on the star's official website.
Zeta-Jones Pays Emotional Tribute
Zeta-Jones paid her respects on Instagram, saying her heart was broken with the news that "our dearest Bonnie Tyler has passed away." Tyler is survived by her husband of more than 50 years, Robert Sullivan, who is Zeta-Jones's cousin. The Chicago movie star, who shared a photograph of herself with the singer, continued: "A one of kind artist, who so easily could have been a comedian because she was one of the funniest people I ever met. Thank you Bonnie for the joy you brought so many. Sleep tight beautiful lady."
Back in 2000, Zeta-Jones asked Tyler to sing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" at her wedding to fellow film star Michael Douglas in New York. Writing on the late singer's Instagram page, Zeta-Jones also commented: "Our Queen Bonnie… you were such a part of my life."
Celebrities Remember Tyler
Tyler's fellow pop star Sir Cliff Richard said he was mourning "another wonderful friend gone too soon." "Bonnie's infectious zest for life entertained so many around the world," he wrote on social media, describing her as "a good friend to all, including me." Rock star Bryan Adams wrote on X that Tyler "had such a great voice," adding he would "always be grateful of her beautiful version" of his track, "Straight From The Heart," while Rod Stewart performed Tyler's "It's a Heartache" at an event in Gleneagles.
Pete Waterman, the Stock Aitken Waterman music producer famous for a string of hits during the 80s with stars including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, likened Tyler's distinctive vocals to Tina Turner's. "She had an amazing voice and was equal to Tina Turner in my opinion," he told the BBC. "If you think of Tom Jones, he was the closest Britain had to a soul star, and Bonnie was that too and she was as good as Tina Turner. You could imagine Tina singing Heartache." He added that in her early career she was managed by Gordon Mills, "who already had Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck. Like Brian Epstein had done with the Beatles, he had created sort of a Welsh sound and taken on Welsh artists from the clubs, he was a massive impresario."
Health Struggles and Final Days
In May, Tyler, from Skewen in south Wales, was placed into an induced coma after having emergency intestinal surgery in Portugal. Last month, her spokesperson said she was out of the coma but remained "very unwell and in intensive care." The official family statement, released on Thursday morning, continued: "We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy."
Political and Public Tributes
A Downing Street spokesman said UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was "saddened" to hear about the death of "one of Britain's greatest recording artists." Describing Tyler as an "iconic figure," he stressed "she leaves behind a catalogue of music... which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths." Rhun ap Iorwerth, the First Minister of Wales, called the singer a "true icon," while Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens called Tyler "the sound of my teenage years." Screenwriter and television producer Russell T Davies, who was born in Wales, offered: "What a fabulous Welsh woman!"
Upcoming Performances Canceled
Tyler had been due to perform at the Sunshine Festival in Worcester this summer, along with a number of European dates. She had also been booked to sing at Cardiff's Utilita Arena on 17 December.
