‘Flashdance’ and ‘Fame’ Singer Irene Cara’s Cause of Death Revealed

Singer Irene Cara performs during the pre-match entertainment before the AFL Grand Final match between the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 30, 2006. (Hamish Blair/Getty Images)

“Flashdance” singer Irene Cara’s official cause of death has been revealed by new medical examiner records as high cholesterol and hypertension.

Cara’s official cause of death is Arteriosclerotic and Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease, according to Pinellas County medical examiner’s office, Fox News reported. Diabetes was also listed as a contributing factor, the medical examiner’s office said.

The Oscar and Grammy winner was found dead inside her home in Largo, Florida, on Nov. 25, 2022, at the age of 63. Her cause of death was previously unknown.

Cara’s publicist, Judith A. Moose, JM Media Group president, announced news of her death on her official Twitter account on Nov. 26, 2022.

“It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara,” the statement read.

It continued: “Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief. She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films. Funeral services are pending and a memorial for her fans will be planned at a future date.”

Rose to Stardom

Cara, whose real name was Irene Escalera, started as a child actress.

She rose to stardom for playing Coco Hernandez in “Fame” and singing that film’s title song in 1980. Her performance in the hit film resulted in her being nominated for two Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Artist.

Cara was best known for her No. 1 hit with “Flashdance… What a feeling,” which she co-wrote and sang in 1983 for the movie of the same name starring Jennifer Beals.

The song earned her an Academy Award for Best Original Song and two Grammy awards for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special and for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

In 2004, Irene was honored with a Prestige Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Cara released her final album, Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel, in 2011.

According to the New York Post, the 80’s icon has been reclusive in recent years. Her reps revealed that Cara had left Hollywood and the music industry on her own terms and had been trying to revive her career in the months prior to her death, the news outlet reported.