Bonnie Tyler remembered for her enduring love of Portugal – Portugal Resident

Thursday last week brought the incredibly sad news that Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler had died, unexpectedly, in Faro Hospital where she was ostensibly recovering from emergency surgery for a life-threatening condition.

The ripple effect of shock and sadness quickly travelled the globe, seeing tributes flood in from generations who had been ‘blown away’ by the singer’s legendary hits that never failed to get people ‘on their feet’, forgetting any problems, and singing along “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, “Holding out for a Hero”, “It’s a Heartache” – they are all Bonnie Tyler’s signature songs. No one will ever be able to belt them out like she did with that incredible voice, described by friend and fellow performer Suzie Quatro as a “female version of Rod Stewart’s”.

As the world reacted to the news of Bonnie Tyler’s passing, people in the Algarve felt it particularly personally: Bonnie loved the region. She is credited with having said that it was her “favourite place in the whole world”. And when she was here, it was Albufeira – where she and her husband Robert Sullivan bought a house in 1978 – that she felt most at home.

Albufeira was her ‘sanctuary’ (her words) – and Albufeira has poured its heart out, saying goodbye to an icon – even suggesting that the municipality name a landmark after her.

Mayor Rui Cristina was one of many hundreds who took to print as soon as the news came out. He described the 75-year-old singer as “a friend of Albufeira” whose decades-long connection to the Algarve left a lasting mark on the municipality.”

Expressing “deep sorrow and consternation”, Cristina said the singer was “one of the most emblematic performers in international pop-rock (…) The passing of Bonnie Tyler represents a loss for culture and international music, but also for all those who had the privilege of knowing her, spending time with her and sharing unforgettable moments.”

Over almost five decades in Portugal, there were so many unforgettable moments. Some have emerged in the online tributes under our own stories shared on social media: people who found themselves in the same restaurant as Bonnie Tyler, the same gathering, and were all delighted to find that quite apart from being an exceptional singer and performer, Bonnie was also an incredibly lovely human being.

Sérgio Sousa, for example, wrote:

“I had the privilege of meeting Bonnie Tyler 22 years ago at Praia do Evaristo in the Algarve.

“Ever since then, I have treasured that moment in my memory. She was in such a good mood and incredibly friendly. We took a photo… Bonnie Tyler, me, Susana, and André (who was about two years old).

“Then… still in great spirits, Bonnie asked me: ‘Would you like me to take a photo of you?’

“I have to admit, her question caught me off guard. Was Bonnie Tyler really asking if we wanted her to take a photo of just me, Susana, and André?

“I said yes. And… Bonnie Tyler picked up my analogue Canon camera and… took our photo.

“For the past 22 years, whenever I hear one of Bonnie Tyler’s songs… I remember that moment at Praia do Evaristo… and… I smile. She was so much fun.

“Today… on hearing of the passing of the Welsh diva who was more Algarvian than anyone else could ever be… I felt sad. Very sad.

“Rest in Peace. Algarve will not forget you. We will not forget you.

“Sérgio, Susana & André”.

So many other Portuguese have left messages beneath our stories. Gabriela Coutinho: “We are all in mourning. Most of all, Albufeira is the poorer – the place you chose to spend a large part of your life! Rest in peace”.

And perhaps even more poetic, Pedro Coelho wrote:

“For those who lived through those years, music wasn’t something you ‘consumed’ via algorithms. It was something you lived with devotion. It was the vinyl record we scratched from listening to it so much, the cassette tape we recorded from the radio with a pounding heart, hoping the DJ wouldn’t talk over the first few chords. Those voices were constant companions; they were there in our rooms, at our parties, in our moments of solitude.

​“Every icon that leaves us takes with them a piece of that raw magic, of that authenticity that seemed immortal. They were the architects of our most intense dreams. As we watch their silhouettes fade away, we suddenly feel more exposed, as if the shield that protected us from the harshness of adult life is wearing thin. ​R.I.P. 75 years…”

English and American fans have been expressing their feelings in countless social media posts and tributes, but it is the outpouring of love from Portugal that somehow registers most poignantly.

Veteran comedian Herman José, for instance, posted a favourite clip of a night in Albufeira with Bonnie, Cliff Richard (another personality who spent long periods of time in Albufeira) and the former mayor, Carlos Silva e Sousa, who also sadly died suddenly some years ago.

“Destiny brought me together with Bonnie Tyler in August 2017 on a stage in Albufeira, alongside Cliff Richard, thanks to the late former mayor Carlos Silva e Sousa,” he wrote – describing Bonnie Tyler as “a woman in love with Portugal (and the Portuguese), friendly, full of good humour and an artist through and through”, adding, like so many others, that he was “very saddened” by news of her “premature” death.

And Albucoop, the acronym for Albufeira Taxis, has also registered its “profound sadness” over the death of “a much-loved client of our cooperative.

“Bonnie will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the courteous way she always treated our team. Over the years, we had the privilege of serving her and sharing moments that left a lasting impression of affection and respect on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.

“At this time of sorrow, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all those who were fortunate enough to be part of her life.

“May her memory live on in the hearts of those who loved her. With deepest respect, Albucoop – Táxis Albufeira”.

Almost a week on from the very sad news, it appears, via tabloid Correio da Manhã, that the singer’s body will be flown to the UK for a funeral service “in the coming days”. There have been no further updates on the ‘Official Page for Bonnie Tyler’ since the short announcement on Thursday of her death the night before.