The legendary singer spoke optimistically about her health and touring schedule in one of her final interviews, months before complications from emergency bowel surgery led to her death in hospital in Portugal.
Bonnie Tyler said she was feeling “fit enough” and enjoying life on the road just weeks before the legendary Welsh singer died in hospital in Portugal at the age of 75.
The Total Eclipse of the Heart star had continued performing earlier this year and spoke positively about her health in one of her final published interviews, before a sudden decline following emergency surgery. Her death on July 8 prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the music industry, with fellow artists praising her unmistakable voice and decades-long career.
Bonnie had been receiving treatment in Portugal after being admitted to hospital in late April with severe abdominal pain.
She later underwent emergency surgery for a serious tear in her bowel and was placed into a medically induced coma.
In June, her management confirmed she had come out of the coma but remained “very unwell”, with doctors warning that her recovery would be slow.
All scheduled concerts through the end of August were cancelled while she continued treatment.
On Thursday, Bonnie’s family confirmed she had died in hospital as a result of the illness for which she had been receiving treatment.
Speaking to Hello! magazine in an interview published in March, Bonnie said: “I’m fit enough at the moment, touch wood, and I’m really enjoying doing the shows.”
She added: “I’m still rocking on that stage with my wonderful band, and if you’ve got your health, you’ve got everything.”
Bonnie also revealed how she had been maintaining her fitness despite a demanding touring schedule.
She said: “I have had problems with my knees; I didn’t have new knees, I had what they call washouts [a surgical knee procedure], which turned out to be very successful.”
Bonnie added: “So, hopefully that will last for a long time.”
The singer also told the magazine she kept active by doing Pilates for “20 minutes a day”, even while staying in hotel rooms between concerts.
Her family announced her death in a statement released through her spokesperson.
It said: “Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.”
The statement added: “We will issue a further statement shortly but for now ask for privacy to deal with this tragedy.”
Last month, Bonnie’s management had updated fans on her condition after she emerged from the medically induced coma.
The statement said Bonnie was no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal.
It added although her condition is improving it “is a slow process”.
Bonnie became one of Britain’s best-known recording artists thanks to chart-topping hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart, Holding Out for a Hero, It’s a Heartache, Lost in France and If I Sing You a Love Song.
Total Eclipse of the Heart has enjoyed renewed popularity in recent years, including another global resurgence during the 2024 solar eclipse, introducing the song to a new generation of listeners through streaming platforms and social media.
Bonnie also represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 with Believe in Me and remained an active touring performer well into 2026, with plans to celebrate 50 years since the release of her breakthrough single Lost in France before illness forced the cancellation of her concerts.
Bonnie is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Sullivan.
Bonnie Tyler’s ‘fitness’ statement weeks ahead of death re-emerges
