Roberta Flack Shares She Has ALS, Making It “Impossible” to Sing

The Grammy winner, 85, has been diagnosed with ALS, her reps shared on Nov. 14.. Find out what that means for her career.

By Amy Lamare Nov 14, 2022 11:47 PMTags
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Roberta Flack is facing some difficult health challenges.

The "Killing Me Softy" singer's reps shared that she's been diagnosed with ALS—also known as Lou Gehrig's disease— which has taken her voice away. The disease "has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak" for the 85-year-old her reps told the Associated Press on Nov. 14.

"It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon," the statement continued. "Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired."

The "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" singer's reps also stated that she was diagnosed with the disease in August and is currently receiving treatment in the hospital. ALS is a degenerative disease that eventually causes the loss of the ability to speak, eat, walk and breathe, according to The Mayo Clinic. There is no cure for the disease.

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Earlier this year, Flack revealed her plans to tour again after surviving a 2016 stroke and a battle with COVID-19. 

"The pandemic has kept most of us off the stage for two years," she told People in February. "I don't know what the next two years will hold, but I hope to see my fans in person sometime soon."

Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Flack may not be able to sing to her fans in person, but they will get to spend some time with her through her upcoming documentary, Roberta. It will air as part of PBS' American Masters on Jan. 24. 

The Grammy winner is also releasing children's book about her childhood in Black Mountain, N.C. called The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music on Jan. 10.

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