Bonnie Tyler: ‘Total Eclipse of the Heart is the best thing I ever did’

Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler’s iconic hit, reached one billion views on YouTube in June - David Redfern/Redferns

Bonnie Tyler, 74, grew up with five siblings in a council house in Skewen, south Wales, before being discovered by a talent scout while singing in Swansea’s Townsman Club in 1975. She had a string of iconic hits, including Holding Out for a Hero and Total Eclipse of the Heart – the video for which reached one billion views on YouTube in June. Now living in Portugal, 2025 sees the release of her autobiography and a re-release of her 1983 album Faster Than the Speed of Night.

Best childhood memories?

My mother had a radiogram and loads of 78 records, and she’d do the housekeeping while singing her head off with the windows open. People used to stand outside to listen to her, she was so amazing. It was inevitable us kids would get into music. My sister is a singer and my brother is still in the same band he formed when he was 13 after I bought him his first Les Paul guitar.

Best career-making moments

My auntie put me down for a talent competition, which I was reluctant to do because I was extremely shy, but I came second. It led to an audition in a club where I met my husband, Robert Sullivan. He slid across the floor in front of me when I was auditioning, so it was a sliding doors moment and sliding floor moment too. I went on to win the World Song Festival in Japan, where Whitney Houston’s mother came second, but the best thing I did was Total Eclipse of the Heart. How can you ever possibly imagine it would still be so big today and people who weren’t even born then would be singing it at karaoke?

Tyler was alwas on track to be a singer, having grown up listening to her mum - Michael Ochs Archives

Best thing about writing an autobiography?

You don’t think about what you’ve done as you’re going through life so, when I read it all back for the audiobook, I was quite surprised at everything I’ve achieved. I was like, “My God, yes, I did do that!” I went for things and I made them happen.

Best advice you’ve ever been given?

My mother always said, “Believe in yourself and go for it, because nobody’s going to do it for you.” To get to where I am now from where I was as a young teenager in a village in Wales, with nothing really, I never dreamed I would be a recording artist. I had self doubt, which is why I wanted to work with songwriter Jim Steinman [who wrote Total Eclipse of the Heart, as well as other classics such as Bat Out of Hell], because I knew I could do those powerful songs. He was bemused in the beginning but then he said, “Wow, I’ve got to meet this girl.”

Best holiday you’ve ever been on?

As a kid, we always went to the Happy Valley caravan park in Porthcawl for two weeks. We loved it, at Coney Beach every day, the fair every night. Holidays are a bit different now. Last week, I was invited on a 74ft yacht in Lagos in Portugal. The owner had his own chef so the food was incredible, and my sister, Marlene, who is 84, was out on the jet skis with me like a bat out of hell.

Tyler attends the ‘Goldene Bild der Frau’ award in 2018 - Christian Augustin/Getty Images

Best thing about being in your 70s?

The old cliché, I’m wiser and more confident. I’d go back and tell myself at 18 that there’s no need to be nervous – people don’t want to see you walking on the stage being frightened, they want you to give them a great show and be all over the stage. I won’t retire. I don’t need to work but I love it. Come on, why would I stop working when I’m still on a high?

Worst day of your life?

When my mother died, because she was such an angel. Oh my God, it was terrible. I also had an awful time when my house got broken into and totally vandalised before I was famous. They sprayed my dog all different colours, as well as all the furniture. The police never found out who did it, but we had an idea who it was. They said there must have been six or seven of them to do the damage that they did.

Worst decision?

I’d love to do a Bond theme because I turned one down for Never Say Never Again. My God, I was so excited when they asked me, but then I heard the song and I didn’t believe in it. So, please, if anybody’s reading this, I wish they’d ask me again because I want a Bond song.

Worst job?

I worked in a grocery shop. I didn’t really dislike it, though; I quite enjoyed it, but I had to give it up because I couldn’t get up in the morning. When I started singing, I didn’t realise I could make a living out of it, so I kept my day job and, in the end, it was evident that I couldn’t keep two jobs.

In her 70s, Tyler says she is far more confident - Tristar Media

Worst thing about being in your 70s?

The sun damage to my skin. Not my face, thank God. I wear a visor because I live in Portugal and I always wear make-up, so the skin on my face is perfect, but my arms… The one thing I regret in life is going on sunbeds.

Worst aspect of fame?

When you’re in the middle of eating your meal and somebody asks for a selfie and you’ve got a mouthful of food. Or when I’m in the bathroom doing my lipstick. Can you wait until I’ve left the restaurant? But there’s not too many awful things about it, to be honest. I have lovely things like homes that I’ve got to share with my family for more than 40 years. I’ve had a blessed life. How can I complain?

Worst habit?

I get up very late in the morning. I’m a night owl, and I’ve got to have my sleep, I can’t burn the candle at both ends. I’m actually doing this interview from my bed, and it’s nearly 1pm.

The absolute worst?

Rude people. There’s no need to be rude. People say to me, “You don’t act like a star.” Why would I? I’m just me, you know. I’m still the same person I always have been. My parents would have been horrified if I’d ever tried to act like I was something special. In fact, my whole family would have thought it was ridiculous and would probably have laughed their heads off.

Bonnie Tyler’s Straight From the Heart is out now, from Coronet

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