Roberta Flack, the legendary singer known for her soulful ballads and smooth vocal style, passed away in February 2025 at the age of 88. With a career that spanned several decades, she became a defining voice in R&B, influencing generations of artists. Flack's contributions to music earned her multiple accolades, including four Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020.
Following her passing, a statement from her representatives read: "We are heartbroken that the glorious Roberta Flack passed away this morning, February 24, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator."
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With such a long and successful career, many have wondered about the financial legacy she left behind.
A lasting legacy and financial success
Thanks to her extensive body of work and continued influence in the industry, Roberta Flack accumulated a net worth of approximately $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. She achieved mainstream success with hit songs such as Killing Me Softly with His Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, and Feel Like Makin' Love, each of which topped the Billboard charts.
Flack's journey to fame began in North Carolina, where she displayed remarkable musical talent from a young age. She attended Howard University at just 15, making her one of the youngest students ever admitted.
After completing her studies in music, she worked as a teacher while performing in nightclubs on the side. It was during one of these performances in Washington, D.C., that she was discovered, setting the stage for her rise to international fame.
Personal life and final years
Flack was married to bassist Steve Novosel from 1966 until their divorce in 1972. She never remarried and did not have children, though she was a significant figure in the lives of others.
She was the aunt of figure skater Rory Flack and the godmother of musician Bernard Wright.
Her later years were marked by health challenges. In 2018, she left a performance at the Apollo Theater after feeling unwell, later revealing that she had suffered a stroke. In 2022, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a condition that led to her retirement from music.
Although Flack is no longer with us, her legacy endures. Her music remains timeless, and her influence continues to be felt in the world of R&B and beyond.