Catherine Zeta Jones led tributes to Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh singer known for her distinctive gravelly voice and 1980s hits such as 'Total Eclipse of the Heart' and 'Holding Out for a Hero', who died at the age of 75.
Career Launch from a £1 Prize
Born Gaynor Hopkins in Skewen, Neath, South Wales, Tyler left school at 16 with no qualifications. In 1969, an aunt entered her into a local talent contest, where she finished second and won £1. That modest prize kickstarted her music career, according to her brother Paul Hopkins.
She began as a backing singer with Bobby Wayne and the Dixies, performing at rugby and working men's clubs for seven years. Talent scout Roger Bell discovered her in a Swansea club in 1975, leading to a demo tape in London and a recording contract with RCA, which advised her to change her name. She chose 'Bonnie Tyler' from a newspaper list.
Vocal Nodules and the 'Female Rod Stewart'
After her debut single 'My! My! Honeycomb' flopped, she found success with the 1977 ballad 'Lost in France'. However, persistent singing caused nodules on her vocal cords. Following surgery, she was ordered to rest her voice completely for six weeks but, after one anguished scream, suffered permanent damage. Her voice emerged with a husky rasp that became her trademark. 'When I went into the studio they all said, `Bloody `ell, where’s that voice come from?'' she recalled. 'I now sounded like a female Rod Stewart.'
The new voice debuted on 'It’s a Heartache' in November 1977, reaching No. 3 in the US and No. 4 in the UK, selling around six million copies worldwide.
Global Hits and Eurovision
Her biggest hit, 'Total Eclipse of the Heart', written by Jim Steinman, topped charts on both sides of the Atlantic in 1983, making her the most successful Welsh singer since Shirley Bassey. The song has sold over six million copies and surpassed one billion streams on Spotify in 2026. Steinman also wrote 'Holding Out for a Hero', featured in the 1984 film 'Footloose'.
In 2013, Tyler represented the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest with 'Believe in Me', finishing 19th out of 26. She remained resilient, stating: 'I did the best that I could do with a great song. I don’t feel down and I’m ready to party.'
Tributes and Personal Life
Catherine Zeta Jones, whose wedding Tyler sang at in 2000 and whose cousin she married, wrote on Instagram: 'She sang and rocked it at my wedding. An extraordinary woman with vocals to match. A one of a kind artist... one of the funniest people I ever met.' A Downing Street spokesman said: 'An iconic figure, she leaves behind a catalogue of music, which continues to touch lives, flood dance floors and fill karaoke booths.' Carol Vorderman added: 'In Wales Bonnie Tyler is regarded as a legend... She was always laughing, asking questions, always having a good time.'
Tyler married Robert Sullivan, a property developer and former Olympic judo competitor, at age 22. They were together for over 50 years. She suffered a miscarriage at 39 and did not have children. She is survived by her husband and five of her six siblings.
Final Days and Legacy
Tyler died in a Portuguese hospital after being placed in an induced coma following emergency intestinal surgery for a burst appendix. She had been due to tour Europe, including a homecoming concert at Cardiff's Utilita Arena in December. Her brother Paul Hopkins announced: 'We are totally devastated as a family. She was such a loving, wonderful human, she always had time for all her family, friends and her fans.'
In 2023, she received an MBE for services to music. Despite her passing, her music continues to resonate, with billions of streams and enduring popularity across generations.
