11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Welsh singer Iris Williams who sang for a US president dies aged 79
Welsh singer Iris Williams who sang for a US president dies aged 79
Iris received an OBE for services to music 21 years ago
The Welsh singer performed for US President Gerald Ford on several occasions
(Image: Don Smith/)
Iris Williams OBE has died aged 79 in the US, where she was living. The renowned Pontypridd-born singer was best known for her hits which included He Was Beautiful and Pererin Wyf, the Welsh-language version of Amazing Grace.
The singer was a product of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama where she received a scholarship before going on to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the Queen, as well as also performing for US President Gerald Ford on several occasions.
She rose to fame in the 1980s and in 2004 was honoured with an OBE for her contributions to music. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here .
Iris performing on her own BBC show in 1979
(Image: Don Smith/)
The 79-year-old performed on the Welsh BBC pop show, Disc A Dawn, and later featured in her own BBC TV show.
She then went on to win Cân i Gymru, a Welsh-language talent competition, having performed the song I gael Cymru'n Gymru Rydd, which translates to For a Free Wales.
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In 1999, Iris also took part in a concert which celebrated the opening of the National Assembly of Wales.
Her brother Ashley paid tribute to her to the BBC. He said: "I never met her until we were adults and it was wonderful to meet up with her. In my opinion she was one of Wales' most underrated singers.
"She had a tremendous career, it was very hard for her growing up."
Iris was brought up in a children's home in Tonyrefail
(Image: Getty Images )
The St David's Society of the State of New York said Iris had "joined the heavenly chorus where her joyful singing will surely bring those joys beyond measure which we have been honoured to share".
They continued: "New York held a special place in her life and it was here that she gave birth to her only child Blake."
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Opera singer Beverley Humphreys also paid tribute to the singer. She said: "Iris had her own unique jazz style - vivacious and elegant - with a twinkle in her eye, she had a way of inhabiting each song she sang.
"Iris was a story teller whose voice could set your feet tapping or touch your heart."
