Today marked an emotional farewell for Bonnie Tyler as her loved ones gathered to bid her goodbye at her funeral.
The iconic Welsh artist, known to family as Gaynor Sullivan, passed away the previous month at 75 years old, with her final resting place being Swansea Minster.
Her passing occurred at a Faro hospital in Portugal, close to her Albufeira home, following a bout of health issues that included emergency intestinal surgery and a medically induced coma.
Tyler spent her years in the picturesque Algarve alongside her husband, Robert Sullivan, a property developer who poignantly led the mourners behind her coffin.
In a tribute befitting her legendary status, her hearse arrived punctuated by a striking floral arrangement bearing her name as Monday’s ceremony commenced.
Another floral tribute provided by her nephews and other family members was presented outside the church, with a black and white piece adorned with the title of her most famous song – 1983’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart.
Featuring a striking black and white image of the star, the order of the service read: ‘She is remembered as a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world.’
The back of her order of service featured a picture of her and Robert.
Bonnie Tyler’s family gathered for the star’s funeral at Swansea Minster on Monday, following her death in July
Her husband, property developer husband, Robert Sullivan led the mourners as they headed into the funeral
The back of the order of service featured a sweet picture of Bonnie and Robert who were married for 53 years
Her long-time manager Matthew Davis and Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered the Bonnie in a club in Swansea, shared tributes at the funeral
The funeral was conducted by the Rev Canon Justin Davies, with the entry music featuring two of her songs – 1978’s If I Sing You A Love Song and 1977’s It’s A Heartache.
Welsh choir Only Men Aloud sang Bridge Over Troubled Water and Total Eclipse of the Heart and Mary Hopkin’s 1968 hit Those Were The Days was played.
He opened her eulogy saying: ‘A cute baby girl took her first breath on 8 June 1951. A star was born to Elsie and Glyndwr Hopkins and the best was yet to come…
‘They just didn’t know it yet. Music filled the family home with their mother’s operatic voice which was heavenly to listen to.’
Her long-time manager Matthew Davis and Roger Bell, the talent scout who discovered Bonnie in a club in Swansea, shared tributes.
Matthew said: ‘How can I possibly celebrate a life as big and as well lived as Bonnie’s in under 10 minutes?’
Roger said: ‘I would not change a thing. Gaynor was one of a kind, you always knew where you stood with her. She said it like it was. I’m sure a lot of people here would have experienced that.’
The Reverend placed a comforting hand on Robert Sullivan’s shoulder as he leaves Swansea Minster
The funeral car arrived with flowers spelling out the star’s name, who was born Gaynor Hopkins
The star’s family requested donations to two charities Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru in lieu of flowers.
The Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea Councillor Penny Matthews paid her respects to the star by attending in her Mayoral chains.
Bonnie had brother Paul and Lynn and three sisters, Marlene, Angela and Avis.
A sweet note on a floral tribute read: ‘Dear Aunty Gaynor, I wish we weren’t writing this card and it breaks our hearts we will get to embrace you again. We loved you yesterday, we love you today and we will love you forever. James and Josh.’
The group followed the coffin into the church as the star’s family requested donations to two charities Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru in lieu of flowers
Bonnie Tyler’s pallbearers held back tears while walking in to Swansea Minster carrying her coffin
Ahead of Monday’s ceremony, a flower tribute was presented outside the church, with a black and white piece adorned with the title of most famous song – 1983’s Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Bonnie pictured in the The Russell Harty Show in 1977 before her 1983’s hit Total Eclipse Of The Heart
Although Bonnie and Robert never had children, having suffered a miscarriage when she was 39, a note from her nephew Christopher stated that the star was ‘a mother to him in so many ways’.
He wrote: ‘Dear Aunty Gaynor/Mum, Thank you for all the years living with you. Laughter, fun and love always. You was a mum to me in so many ways. I will love you forever. Christopher and John xxx.’
On Saturday, fans sang as they gathered in her hometown in Wales to pay tribute to the singer before her funeral.
Prior to Monday’s private family service, the memorial procession took place in Mumbles, Swansea, as she travelled to her home, Fernhill.
A sweet note on the floral tribute read: ‘Dear Aunty Gaynor, I wish we weren’t writing this card and it breaks our hearts we will get to embrace you again. We loved you yesterday, we love you today and we will love you forever. James and Josh’
The funeral was conducted by Reverend Canon Justin Davies, who stood outside the church holding the order of service
Mourners including family members walked inside the church which was located in front of Primark
Her coffin was adorned with white roses and lilies
Ahead of the procession on Saturday afternoon, fans began gathering near to Fernhill, with many leaving flowers outside along the wall
More notes were left from her family, One note was addressed to ‘Aunt Gaynor/Mum’ with her nephew Christoper stating she ‘was a mum to me in so many way’
A floral tribute was laid by Bonnie’s sister Avis
A statement released by William Pressdee Funeralcare on behalf of the singer’s family ahead of the procession said: ‘Resting at William Pressdee Funeralcare, Mumbles until she returns to her home, Fernhill, on Saturday 15th August at 3.30pm – those who wish to pay their respects are invited to line Newton Road, Mumbles from 3.15pm.’
Referring to Bonnie by her birth name, Gaynor Hopkins, the statement added: ‘A Celebration of Gaynor’s life will be held at Swansea Minster (St. Mary’s Church) on Monday 17th August at 12noon.
‘Gaynor will then return to her “hometown,” and travel through Skewen at approximately 1.20pm en route to a private family service of committal and farewell.’
Ahead of the procession on Saturday afternoon, fans began gathering near to Fernhill, with many leaving flowers outside along the wall.
Bonnie was best known for her hits Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero, and she had planned a new European tour which had been due to start later this year.
A note was left by one of her siblings – with the star branded ‘my beautiful sister’
One fan wore a Bonnie Tyler T-shirt in tribute to the legend, with many fans holding copies of the order of service
The Lord Mayor of the City and County of Swansea Councillor Penny Matthews paid her respects to the star
Two onlookers could not contain their emotions as they looked on at the funeral from behind barriers
Bonnie was best known for her hits such as Total Eclipse Of The Heart and Holding Out For A Hero
The family requested donations rather than floral tributes from fans but immediate family provided sweet tributes
On Saturday, fans sang as they gathered in her hometown in Wales on Saturday to pay tribute to the singer before her funeral
Another tribute came from more family members with a note saying that she was ‘taken too soon’
Bonnie was first admitted to hospital in May because of complications caused by a burst appendix and perforated intestine that required urgent surgery
The statement said: ‘Bonnie’s family and team are heartbroken to announce that Bonnie unexpectedly passed away last night in hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness that she was being treated for.’
Bonnie was first admitted to hospital in May because of complications caused by a burst appendix and perforated intestine that required urgent surgery.
Her last public concert was in March, when she performed at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
She released her first single Lost In France in 1976, and went on to have an almost 50-year-long career. Her biggest hit, Total Eclipse Of The Heart, came out in 1983.
At the time, Bonnie was the first Welsh person to reach number one in America.