Roberta Flack Health Details on Her Condition

May 2024 · 3 minute read

Roberta Flack's health has been declining over the years and she or he stepped away from tune. Here's the inside track on the Grammy-winning singer.

Tatayana Yomary - Author

Kanye West once mentioned, “If you appreciate anyone you must cross ahead and tell them. People by no means get their flowers whilst they may be able to still smell them.”

This quote definitely lives rent-free in the minds of tune fanatics who're coming to terms with Roberta Flack stepping clear of the song business.

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Through the ‘70s and ‘80s, Roberta charmed the hundreds with her distinctive vocals and songwriting talents within the jazz, R&B soul, and contemporary R&B genres. Roberta earned her reputation from the Grammys as a two-time Record of the Year winner.

However, as time went on, Roberta made up our minds to position down the mic in November 2022 due to complications with her health.

Here’s the 4-1-1 on Roberta Flack’s current health condition.

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Roberta Flack used to be recognized with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which has impacted her making a song talent.

Thankfully, Roberta remains to be with us, however her days of making a song are seemingly over. On Monday, Nov. 14, 2022, Roberta’s publicist announced that her innovative disease “has made it inconceivable to sing and no longer easy to talk.”

The revolutionary disease is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) aka Lou Gehrig’s illness, per AP News.

Per the Mayo Clinic, ALS is a “modern worried system illness that affects nerve cells within the brain and spinal twine, inflicting lack of muscle control.” The illness “steadily starts with muscle twitching and weak point in a limb, or slurred speech,” and, over time, it "affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe.”

Roberta’s representative shared that “it will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon.”

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Roberta Flack’s music was on shuffle tonight. She is so grossly underrated and forgotten by many. Such a beautiful voice, beautiful and impactful songs. Praying for her wellness at this stage of her life with the illness. Looking forward to PBS documentary on her life this week. pic.twitter.com/d1hQEi9w5r

— Kevin Powell (@kevin_powell) January 23, 2023

Roberta Flack is now focused on other creative pursuits.

Although it’s sad that Roberta will no longer be able to enchant audiences with her voice, she’s using her creativity in other avenues.

For starters, PBS just released a documenter titled American Masters: Roberta Flack, which follows her rise to stardom. The documentary was initially released on Nov. 17, 2022, at the DOCNYC film festival.

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Also, Roberta recently released a children's book, The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music. Of course, Roberta has continued to support and inspire fellow creatives with her self-titled foundation. Singing is no longer an option for Roberta, but her creativity and philanthropic contributions are endless.

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