Bonnie Tyler, the Welsh pop star known for her husky voice, shared a surprising admission about her iconic song "Total Eclipse of the Heart" during her final television interview, just months before her unexpected death at age 75. The singer, whose real name is Gaynor Hopkins, passed away on Wednesday, July 8, in a Portuguese hospital due to complications from an illness she was being treated for, her family confirmed in a statement on her official website.
Final TV Appearance on Lorraine
In February 2026, Tyler appeared live on ITV's "Lorraine," hosted by Lorraine Kelly. During the interview, Kelly noted that "Total Eclipse of the Heart" had surpassed one billion streams on Spotify and suggested Tyler could retire comfortably on the royalties. However, Tyler corrected her, saying, "But I didn't write the song! I'm just a singer, you know, so I didn't write that song." She explained that composer Jim Steinman, who wrote and produced the hit, received all royalties, which have since gone to his family after his death in 2021.
Her Reaction to the Song
Despite not owning the rights, Tyler expressed deep appreciation for the track. She recalled, "The first time I heard it, shivers up my spine. I couldn't believe [Steinman] was giving me this song to sing. I wanted desperately to work with him." The song, released in 1983, became a global phenomenon, topping charts in both the UK and the US.
Career Highlights and Legacy
Tyler's career spanned decades, with hits like "Holding Out for a Hero," "It's a Heartache," and "If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)." She represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, with "Believe in Me," finishing 19th. In 2023, she was awarded an MBE for services to music. Her family described her death as a "tragedy" and requested privacy while they grieve.
