If you’re wondering where is Roberta Flack today, the answer is a mix of quiet reflection and a legacy that refuse to stop growing. We lost this absolute titan of soul and jazz on February 24, 2025. She was 88 years old. Honestly, it feels strange to talk about her in the past tense because her voice—that smooth, velvet-draped-in-steel sound—is still everywhere. From the speakers of a boutique coffee shop to the heavy rotation of classic radio, she never really left.
She passed away at her home in New York City. Specifically, she lived in the legendary Dakota building on the Upper West Side, a place she called home for about four decades. She was surrounded by her family when she died. It was peaceful, which is exactly the kind of energy she projected throughout her entire career.
What Really Happened With Her Health?
The reality of Roberta Flack’s final years was shaped by a tough battle with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). She went public with the diagnosis back in 2022. It was a gut-punch for fans. ALS is a progressive disease that basically attacks the motor neurons, and for a woman who lived to communicate through song, it was particularly cruel.
By the time she announced it, the disease had already made it impossible for her to sing. It also made speaking a massive struggle. But you’ve got to admire her spirit—her manager, Suzanne Koga, famously said at the time that it would take a lot more than ALS to silence her. She wasn't just a singer; she was a classically trained pianist and a fighter who graduated from Howard University at 19. That kind of discipline doesn't just evaporate because of a diagnosis.
Life at The Dakota
Living in The Dakota isn't just about having a fancy address. It’s a fortress of history. Roberta’s apartment was huge—12-foot ceilings, mahogany moldings, and four wood-burning fireplaces. For years, neighbors would see her walking her dog near Central Park. She was a fixture of the neighborhood.
Even as her health declined, she remained in that space. There was some talk about her trying to sell the place years ago—she listed it for nearly $10 million at one point—but she ultimately stayed. There is something poetic about her finishing her journey in the same rooms where she likely spent hours at the piano, perfecting the arrangements that made us all fall in love with her.
Why Her Legacy is Exploding Right Now (2026 Update)
Even though she isn't physically with us, where is Roberta Flack today in terms of the cultural zeitgeist? She's actually having a bit of a "moment" right now.
In early 2026, a massive new collection was released called With Her Songs: The Atlantic Albums, 1969–1978. It’s an 8-CD set that includes newly remastered versions of her most iconic work. If you haven't heard "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" or "Killing Me Softly with His Song" on a high-end sound system recently, you're missing out. The remastering brings out nuances in her voice that were buried in older recordings. It’s like she’s in the room with you.
The Foundation and Future
Her impact continues through the Roberta Flack Foundation. She started this back in 2010 to focus on two things she cared about deeply: animal welfare and music education.
- She was a teacher before she was a star.
- She taught in DC public schools.
- She believed music was a right, not a luxury.
The foundation is still very active today, funding programs that help girls of color get the music education they deserve. It's not just a name on a building; it's a functioning organization that keeps her values alive.
The Donny Hathaway Connection
You can't talk about Roberta without mentioning Donny Hathaway. Their duets—"Where Is the Love," "The Closer I Get to You"—are the blueprint for R&B chemistry. When she passed, many fans found comfort in the idea that she was finally reunited with her favorite duet partner. Their musical connection was almost telepathic.
Things Most People Get Wrong
A lot of people think she was a "pop" singer who got lucky with a few hits. That’s just wrong. She was a prodigy. She won a full scholarship to Howard University when she was just 15 years old. Fifteen! She was studying classical piano and conducting. When you hear the "hush" in her music, that's not just style; it's a deliberate, sophisticated use of space and dynamics learned from the greats like Chopin and Schumann.
She also faced a lot of pressure to be "louder" or "funkier" during the 70s, but she stuck to her guns. She created what we now call "Quiet Storm" music. She proved that you don't have to scream to be heard.
Actionable Steps to Connect with Her Music Today
If you want to truly experience what she left behind, don't just stick to the Top 40 hits. Here is how to dive deeper into the world of Roberta Flack:
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- Listen to "First Take" from start to finish. This was her 1969 debut. It didn't even become a hit until Clint Eastwood used one of the songs in his movie Play Misty for Me three years later. It is a masterpiece of restraint.
- Watch the documentary Roberta. Released around the time of her ALS announcement, it gives an incredible look at her life as a Black woman navigating the music industry on her own terms.
- Support music education. If you want to honor her, look into the Roberta Flack Foundation or local programs that provide instruments to schools. She was a teacher at heart, and that was her true "day job" for years.
- Check out the 2026 Box Set. The With Her Songs collection is the definitive way to hear her Atlantic years. It’s available on streaming, but the physical set has some incredible liner notes and photos.
Roberta Flack’s story didn't end with her diagnosis or her passing. It shifted. She moved from being a living performer to an immortal influence. Today, she exists in every singer who chooses a whisper over a belt and every teacher who tells a kid that their voice matters.