Roberta Flack net worth is something many music fans want to know about. She is a legendary singer known for her smooth voice and timeless hits. Songs like Killing Me Softly with His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face made her a star. Over the years, she earned money from album sales, concerts, and music royalties. Her talent and success have made her one of the most respected artists in music history.
So, let’s take a closer look at how she built her wealth and what helped her career grow.
| Full Name | Roberta Cleopatra Flack |
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1937 |
| Died | 24 February 2025 |
| Place of Birth | Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA |
| Occupation | Singer, Songwriter, Musician |
| Height | 5 feet 3 inches (162 cm) |
| Weight | 140 lbs (63.5 kg) |
| Spouse | Steve Novosel (1966-1972) |
| Net Worth | $20 million |
What is Roberta Flack Net Worth?
Roberta Flack was an American singer and pianist with an estimated net worth of $20 million. Most of her wealth comes from her long and successful career in the music industry. She made millions from album sales, live performances, and royalties from some of the most timeless songs in history.
Her music catalog continues to bring in revenue, with songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song being played on streaming platforms, radio stations, and in movies. Even though she has stepped away from the stage due to health issues, her financial legacy remains strong.
Early Life
Roberta Flack was born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Her parents were Laron Flack, a draftsman, and Irene Flack, a church organist. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia, in a musical family. Roberta played hymns and spirituals on the piano for the Lomax African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church choir. She also enjoyed listening to gospel music at a nearby Baptist church.
At nine years old, Roberta became interested in playing the piano. She was very talented and earned a full music scholarship to Howard University. By age 15, she became one of the youngest students ever to enroll there. Initially studying piano, Roberta later switched her major to voice and became the assistant conductor for the university choir. She even directed a production of Aida, which earned a standing ovation.
After graduating from Howard University at 19, Roberta planned to continue her graduate studies. However, the sudden death of her father led her to take a teaching job in Farmville, North Carolina, where she taught music and English.
Career
Before becoming a professional singer-songwriter, Roberta Flack worked as a music teacher in Washington, D.C. She taught at Banneker, Browne, and Rabaut Junior High Schools. Flack also gave private piano lessons at her home. In her free time, she performed at nightclubs, playing the piano and singing blues, folk, and pop songs. She got her start at the Tivoli Club and later at the 1520 Club.
In 1968, Flack began singing professionally at Mr. Henry’s Restaurant in D.C. Her big break came when actor Clint Eastwood picked her song “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for his movie Play Misty for Me. The song became a huge hit, reaching number 1 on the charts in 1972. This song was from her debut album First Take, which also went number 1.
Throughout the 1970s, Flack worked with Donny Hathaway. They recorded hits like Where Is the Love and The Closer I Get to You. She also had solo hits, including Killing Me Softly with His Song in 1973, which won two Grammy Awards. In 1974, Flack released Feel Like Makin’ Love, another hit that topped the charts.
In the 1980s, Flack continued to have success with hits like Making Love and Tonight, I Celebrate My Love, a duet with Peabo Bryson. She also sang the theme song for the TV show The Hogan Family and appeared in Michael Jackson’s short film for “Bad”.
Flack’s career continued into the 1990s. She earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and performed for President Nelson Mandela in South Africa. In 2010, she sang a duet of Where Is the Love with Maxwell at the Grammy Awards.
Flack also influenced contemporary R&B, especially the quiet storm subgenre. In 2012, she released Let It Be Roberta, an album of Beatles covers. Flack was close to John Lennon and Yoko Ono and had once lived next door to them in New York City.
At 80 years old, Flack recorded Running, a song for the documentary 3100: Run and Become.
Personal life
Flack was married to Steve Novosel from 1966 to 1972. She was the aunt of ice skater Rory Flack and the godmother of musician Bernard Wright, who passed away in 2022. For many years, Flack lived next to Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon in The Dakota building. Lennon called her “Aunt Roberta.”
Death
In 2018, Roberta Flack was performing at the Apollo Theater for a benefit event supporting the Jazz Foundation of America. She became sick, left the stage, and was quickly taken to Harlem Hospital. Her manager later shared that Flack had suffered a stroke years earlier and was still recovering. Despite this, she was said to be “doing fine” and was just staying overnight for observation.
In late 2022, it was announced that Flack had been diagnosed with ALS. This illness made it impossible for her to continue singing. She retired from performing due to the disease.
Flack passed away on February 24, 2025, at 88 years old. She died at home surrounded by her family. Her manager, Suzanne Koga, later clarified that Flack died from cardiac arrest while on the way to the hospital in Manhattan.
Awards
Roberta Flack is a famous singer and songwriter. She won the American Music Award for Best Soul/R&B Female Artist in 1974. This was at the first show ever held in 1974.
Flack has received many honors over the years. In 2017, she got an honorary Doctorate in the Arts from Long Island University. She was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2009. In 2021, she became one of the first members of the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.
On March 12, 2022, Flack received the DAR Women in American History Award. She also got a restored fire callbox in Washington D.C. to honor her early career days at a local bar.
In 2023, Flack was featured in an hour-long show on PBS called American Masters. It was part of the 37th season. Later that year, on May 13, Flack received another honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.
Flack has also won four Grammy Awards from 13 nominations. Her music, including Killing Me Softly With His Song and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, has made her a lasting name in music.
Real Estate
For over 40 years, she lived in the famous Dakota building at 1 W 72nd St. She bought her apartment in the 1970s when she was very famous. Her place, Apt 78, was near famous people like John Lennon and Yoko Ono. She became friends with them.
Her apartment had nine rooms with high ceilings, original moldings, and views of Central Park. These views helped inspire some of her music. In 2015, she listed her apartment for $10 million. After her stroke, she sold it in 2018 for $5.8 million. This marked the end of her time there.
