Portuguese singer Sara Tavares, a renowned global pop artist, has died at the age of 45, her label confirmed.
Sony Portugal released a statement on Instagram disclosing Tavares' death on Sunday, Nov. 19th in Lisbon. It added that the singer passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family.
The label said funeral services would be held privately by her family and friends, and it asked everyone to respect the bereaved loved ones' privacy after the loss.
What Was Sara Tavares' Cause of Death?
The post did not disclose her cause of death, but Tavares was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2009. It remains unknown whether it had something to do with her passing.
Meanwhile, the SIC television station, Lusa, received a tip from a family source who disclosed the information about the singer-songwriter's hospitalization at the Hospital da Luz in Lisbon, where she was declared dead.
On Facebook, Cape Verde's President José Maria Neves paid tribute to the late singer and thanked her for her contributions.
"Sara Tavares, through her voice, her smile, her glance, was able to plant peace, friendship and brotherhood among Cape Verdeans, and also between Cape Verdeans and the world," he said, per The Herald News. "Your light will illuminate the path that still lies with us, in this land that temporarily welcomes us."
He also took to his personal Facebook page and wrote, "Until forever, dear friend."
Sara Tavares' Career
Tavares started pursuing her music career through the 1990s' "Chuva de Estrelas" talent show. She made a lasting impression by performing a Whitney Houston track.
She won the RTP Song Festival in 1994 with Rosa Lobato de Faria and João Oliveira's "Chamar a Música" - the same song that scored her eighth place in the Eurovision Song Contest for Portugal.
Tavares officially debuted as a musician in 1996 by dropping her album, "Sara Tavares & Shout!"
In the years leading to her death, she scored different accolades, including the Career Award at the Africa Festival in Germany. For her album "Xinti," and a nomination as a Breakthrough Artist at the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards for her 2005 project, "Balancê."
She was also nominated for a Latin Grammy with her fifth album, "Fitxadu," in 2018.