There’s been an anxious wait for fans of Bonnie Tylerafter the much-loved singer was reportedly resuscitated when she went into cardiac arrest during a frightening health ordeal.
The 74-year-old star, best known for her powerhouse hit Total Eclipse of the Heart, is currently being cared for in intensive care at Faro Hospital in Portugal after a series of serious complications following emergency surgery.
It’s understood Bonnie had been placed in an induced coma to help her body recover after undergoing life-saving surgery for a burst appendix. But as doctors attempted to bring her out of the coma late last week, she reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated.
Despite the alarming setback, there is cautious optimism.
A close friend of the singer has said doctors are feeling “positive” about her chances of making a full recovery, though understandably, it remains a worrying and uncertain time.
It all started with stomach pain
Bonnie is believed to have first felt unwell several weeks ago while performing in London. According to her long-time friend Liberto Mealha, she sought medical advice at the time but nothing serious was detected.
Soon after travelling to her Algarve home, however, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain. After two days confined to bed, her husband Robert Sullivan rushed her to a private hospital. Doctors quickly realised the situation was critical - her appendix had burst - and she was transferred urgently to Faro Hospital for emergency bowel surgery.
A ruptured appendix is a medical emergency, as it can cause a dangerous infection in the abdomen. Bonnie’s team later confirmed she had been placed in an induced coma to “aid her recovery” following the operation.
At first, she was said to be stable in an intermediate care unit. But when her condition worsened, she was moved to intensive care, where she remains under close supervision.
A devoted husband by her side
Throughout the ordeal, Bonnie’s husband Robert has reportedly barely left her side, only returning home at night to rest.
Family friends say he is immensely grateful to the medical team caring for her in Portugal and believes their swift intervention has made all the difference.
Bonnie is thought to have been admitted to hospital on April 30, after continuing to work despite weeks of persistent pain, a testament to her famously determined spirit.
What is cardiac arrest?
Cardiac arrest is when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, cutting off blood flow to the brain and body. It causes immediate collapse and requires urgent resuscitation. Swift medical action is absolutely vital.
While Bonnie’s representatives have not yet directly addressed the reports that she suffered cardiac arrest, the focus now is firmly on her recovery.
A fighter through and through
Bonnie Tyler has never been one to do things by halves. With decades of chart hits, international tours and even representing the UK at Eurovision in 2013, she’s built a reputation as one of Britain’s most resilient performers.
Now, fans across the world are rallying behind her once more, sending heartfelt messages and hoping to see that unmistakable husky-voiced star back where she belongs.
Claire Tapley is a digital editor for Yours.co.uk. She is a journalist with over 18 years' experience writing for women over 50. Before moving to Yours.co.uk, she was deputy editor of Yours magazine for nine years. Claire is extremely passionate about all things TV related, with her favourite shows including Traitors, Strictly and The Great British Bake Off.