Legendary singer Roberta Flack, known for “Killing Me Softly,” has died at 88.

Music legend Roberta Flack has passed away at 88. Her reps confirmed she died peacefully on February 24, 2025, surrounded by family. Flack had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since 2022, which affected her ability to sing and speak.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary Roberta Flack this morning,” the statement said. “She peacefully passed away surrounded by family. Roberta broke barriers and set records, and was also a passionate educator.”

Flack’s unique voice and emotional delivery catapulted her to stardom in the early 1970s with Grammy-winning hits like “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Her fame soared when Clint Eastwood featured her 1969 recording of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” in his 1971 film Play Misty for Me, sending the song to No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

She continued her success with the 1973 chart-topping hit “Killing Me Softly,” which earned her a second consecutive Grammy for Record of the Year. This historic achievement wouldn’t be matched until U2’s wins in 2001-2002.

Flack’s musical legacy includes six top-10 pop hits and 10 top-10 R&B singles, many of which were duets with her longtime collaborator Donny Hathaway. Their 1974 hit “Where Is the Love” topped both the pop and R&B charts, cementing her place in music history.

In 2022, Flack shared with PEOPLE that she remained hopeful about connecting with her fans.

“The pandemic kept many of us off the stage for two years,” Flack told PEOPLE in February. “I’m not sure what the next two years will bring, but I hope to see my fans in person soon.”

In 2023, she released a children’s book, The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music.

R.I.P. Roberta Flack.