Eurovision star dies aged 45 after brain tumour diagnosis

Sara Tavares, a singer who competed at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, has died aged 45.

The musician, who represented Portugal at the competition, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour more than a decade ago, in 2009.

Her death was reported widely by local media, with tributes pouring in for the late star on social media.

Tavares’ parents emigrated from Cape Verde to Almada, Portugal in the 1970s, before her birth in Lisbon on February 1 1978.

In 1994, the singer won a national television song contest in Portugal, called Chuva de Estrelas, after singing Whitney Houston’s One Moment in Time.

She went on to also win the Festival da Canção, which resulted in her being named as the representative for the country at Eurovision that year.

The late musician finished in eighth place with her song Chamar a música, with Ireland being crowned the winners with Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids.

SIC Notícias, a Portuguese cable news channel, announced her death, almost 30 years after she appeared on SIC’s Chuva de Estrelas singing competition.

Her debut album Mi Ma Bô came out in 1999. Her most recent album, Fitxadu, was released six years ago in 2017.

Fans have expressed their outpouring of grief over Tavares’ death, with one writing on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Death is sobering. RIP Sara Tavares. Thank you for the music. 💔🕊️.’

‘Portugal just lost another great artist: Sara Tavares. The portuguese music scene will not be same without you. Descansa em paz. 🖤🕊️,’ another wrote.

Tavares was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2009, which resulted in her pausing her music career, SIC Notícias reported.

In 2012, she spoke to the channel’s SIC Alta Definição programme about her diagnosis, opening up about how she missed her grandmother.

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