He was hailed as one of the greatest voices in music history, but in his final, fragile months, D’Angelo vanished from public view — battling a deadly illness behind closed hospital doors, surrounded by only his tightest circle of family.
The beloved neo-soul singer, best known for his seductive hits “Brown Sugar” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel),” has died at the age of 51.
D’Angelo performs live for fans at the Byron Bay Bluesfest on March 24, 2016, in Australia | Source: Getty Images
The singer — born Michael Eugene Archer — passed away in New York City on Tuesday, following a devastating fight with pancreatic cancer, a source confirmed to People.
A Final Goodbye Behind Hospital Curtains
According to the outlet, D’Angelo had been hospitalized for months, slipping away from the public eye as his health worsened. His last two weeks were spent in hospice care, where his 27-year-old son Mike Jr. never left his side.
“His son was there with him and had been with him in the hospital,“ the source revealed. “People are really worried about Mike right now. His mom died a day after his birthday and now six months later he’s burying his dad.”
D’Angelo performs at The Apollo Theater on February 27, 2021, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Family Breaks Silence With Heartfelt Statement
As news of D’Angelo’s passing sent shockwaves through the music world, his grieving family issued a deeply emotional statement, confirming his death and paying tribute to the man behind the myth.
“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life,“ the family wrote in a statement shared with TMZ. “After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025.
Recording artist D’Angelo performs at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on August 21, 2015. | Source: Getty Images
They added, “We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.“
From Gospel Roots to Global Stardom
Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, D’Angelo’s musical journey began in the pews of his father’s Pentecostal church. A natural prodigy, he began playing piano at the age of three, and by five years old, he was also playing at his grandfather’s Pentecostal church.
D’Angelo in the press room of the 24th Annual American Music Awards, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on January 27, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
As a teen, he showcased his talent at local talent shows, performing with his cousins in a group called Three of a Kind, before forming Michael Archer and Precise with his brother Luther.
A Reluctant Sex Symbol, Haunted by Body Image
Though adored by millions and honored with Grammy Awards, D’Angelo wrestled with demons few ever saw. He shunned fame, opting for a life of isolation, and was said to be deeply uncomfortable with the sex symbol persona thrust upon him after the iconic “Untitled” video.
A photo of D’Angelo, circa August 1, 2000 | Source: Getty Images
“D’Angelo was very eccentric, he had a manager but he wouldn’t work. He was a recluse; he didn’t like going out of the house,“ said the source.
They continued, “He battled with his weight. The chiseled machismo man that people fell in love with, that wasn’t his natural aesthetic. He was naturally a bigger guy. He never was comfortable being a sex symbol, but also he didn’t like people seeing him on his heavier side, so he was always really conflicted.”
D’Angelo performs at Club Nokia on June 8, 2015, in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Tributes Pour In For A Lost Legend
In the wake of his passing, tributes have flooded in. DJ Premier, who famously collaborated with D’Angelo on the 1998 track “Devil’s Pie,” shared a gut-wrenching message on X, “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING [sic].”
D’Angelo attends the Hollywood premiere of “Jackie Brown,” held at the Mann Village Theatre in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 1997 | Source: Getty Images
D’Angelo is survived by two sons and a daughter, including Mike Jr. The mother of his first son, Angie Stone, tragically died earlier this year in a car accident, compounding the family’s unbearable grief.
Though he is gone, his voice, his pain, and his genius continue to echo in the neo-soul soundscape he helped shape. As family, friends, and fans mourn, one thing is certain: D’Angelo’s final chapter was quiet — but his legacy will thunder for generations.