Angela Bofill, known for her silky voice and R&B hits, passed away at the age of 70. Born Angela Tomasa Bofill on May 2, 1954, in New York City to a Cuban father and Puerto Rican mother, she began singing from a young age, eventually making her mark in the late 1970s and ’80s with her rich ballads and torch songs that showcased her impressive three-and-a-half-octave vocal range. Her death, at the home of her daughter Shauna, was announced on social media by her manager, Rich Engel. He did not cite a cause.
Raised in the Bronx, Bofill released her debut album in 1978 at the age of 24, becoming one of the first Latina singers to achieve consistent success in R&B. Despite encountering health challenges later in life, including strokes in the mid-2000s that impaired her speech and paralyzed her left side. She had no health insurance, and her recovery drained her bank accounts and threw her into a deep depression. Although health problems curtailed her singing career, she continued to share her music through stage performances and collaborations.
Bofill’s influence extended beyond music; she was also recognized for her storytelling and resilience, notably in her stage show “The Angela Bofill Experience,” where she reflected on her life and legacy. In 2023, she was honored with induction into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Angela Bofill will be remembered not only for her vocal prowess and contributions to R&B but also for her enduring impact on music and her courage in facing life’s adversities.
