Bonnie Tyler Out of Coma, Still in Intensive Care; Summer Performances Canceled

The Grammy-nominated singer faced medical complications after intestinal surgery in May.

Bonnie Tyler, with her MBE after being made a member of the order of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in England on Feb. 1, 2023. Andrew Matthews/Pool/Getty Images

Acclaimed Welsh singer-songwriter Bonnie Tyler is on a long road to recovery, after emerging from a medically induced coma stemming from a previous intestinal surgery.

According to a joint update shared by her family and management team on June 15, the 75-year-old is showing signs of improvement after being hospitalized in Portugal earlier this year.

“Bonnie is no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal,” read the statement published on her official website.

“Although her condition is improving, it is a slow process. Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time.”

All scheduled performances through the end of August have been canceled or postponed. Organizers remain hopeful that she can make some fall appearances, depending on her condition.

“We apologize to all of Bonnie’s fans and to our promoter partners for the disappointment that this will cause but trust that you will understand and bear with us in these difficult circumstances,” the statement continued. “We hope to see you next year instead.

“We would like to thank everyone for the huge outpouring of love and support from all over the world that we have received for Bonnie and want to tell you that she is aware of, and very grateful for, your good wishes.”

The Grammy-nominated artist underwent emergency intestinal surgery on May 6 and was admitted to a hospital near her home in Faro, Portugal.

Tyler faced medical complications during the procedure and was placed in a medically induced coma as part of her treatment and recovery plan.

“Bonnie’s family continue to ask for privacy and promise that we will issue further updates as soon as there are significant developments to share,” the statement concluded.

Tyler rose to fame in the late 1970s with her breakthrough hits “It’s a Heartache” and “Lost in France,” which made the UK top 10 chart at the time. She notably became the first female British artist to debut at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.

Dubbed internationally as the “First Lady of Rock,” Tyler developed a distinct raspy voice and unique sound after undergoing a throat operation to remove her vocal cord nodules.

She is best known for her chart-topping 1980s songs including “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Holding Out for a Hero.”