Roberta Flack who is popularly known for her hit songs such as Killing Me Softly With His Song, Feel Like Makin’ Love, Where Is the Love, and The Closer I Get to You has been diagnosed with ALS.
For those of you who are unaware, let us tell you, ALS stands for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Recently, a representative of the singer confirmed the news of her ALS diagnosis. Continue reading further to know more about Roberta Flack’s current condition.
Roberta Flack has been diagnosed with ALS
As per a report by People magazine, the 85-year-old singer was diagnosed with the illness earlier this year in August. At the moment, she is being treated at the hospital. It has been reported by various media outlets that the disease “has made it impossible to sing and not easy to speak.”
Roberta’s manager Suzanne Koga issued a statement to AP News that read, “It will take a lot more than ALS to silence this icon. Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired.”
Here’s everything you need to know about ALS
ALS is commonly also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. It is a rare degenerative disease that results in progressive paralysis of the muscles. At first, the patients experience twitching or weakness in a limb, followed by slurred speech.
As per Mayo Clinic, because the disease impacts the nerve cells in the brain as well as the spine that control muscle movement, patients gradually lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe on their own.
It has been reported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association that, as of this moment, there is no cure for ALS which means it typically claims the lives of people who have been diagnosed with this disease within three to five years. Even though, some patients can live for decades.
 Roberta Flack’s early life
Roberta Flack is an American singer who was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, United States to Laron Flack, a Veterans Administration draftsman, and Irene (Council) Flack, a church organist.
Roberta grew up in a large musical family. She often accompanied the choir of Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by playing hymns and spirituals on piano. Along with this, she also used to enjoy going to the Baptist church down the street to listen to contemporary gospel music.
When Flack was nine years old, she got inclined towards learning piano. Soon after, she excelled at classical piano, and Howard University awarded her a full music scholarship. By the age of 15, she was a student at Howard University. She graduated from the university at 19 and then started graduate studies in music.
We hope Roberta Flack gets better soon. Wishing her a speedy recovery. You can drop your best wishes for the legendary singer in the comments section below. Don’t forget to stay tuned with us for the latest updates from the world of showbiz.
