Singer Roberta Flack has announced through a spokesperson that she has been diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

According to NPR, the news was announced in a press release on Monday (Nov. 12) that 85-year-old, notably known for her album Killing Me Softly, has been battling the brain disease, which has made it “impossible” for her “to sing and not easy to speak.”

“Miss Flack plans to stay active in her musical and creative pursuits. Her fortitude and joyful embrace of music that lifted her from modest circumstances to the international spotlight remain vibrant and inspired,” the statement continues, speaking about the four-time Grammy award-winning artist.

Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Flack’s famous album Killing Me Softly, which was famously covered by Fugees, with Lauryn Hill as the lead vocalist, back in 1996.

In January 2023, Flack is set to publish a children’s book called The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music, which is a story about her childhood and is co-authored by Tonya Bolden. A documentary about her life and legacy, titled Roberta will air on PBS’ “American Masters” series is also set to premiere the same month.