Neil Sedaka’s cause of death has been revealed nearly three weeks after his passing at the age of 86 on February 27.
The late star – who had been known for hit songs such as Breaking Up Is Hard To Do – was reportedly rushed to the hospital only hours before his death.
The ‘sudden’ passing of the ‘rock and roll legend’ was confirmed by his loved ones in a statement obtained by the Daily Mail.
Sedaka died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, per a death certificate first obtained by the California Post.
The chronic condition occurs when there is a ‘buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls,’ per Mayo Clinic.
The disease can also lead to the possibility of a stroke, heart attack, kidney failure as well as blood clots.
Neil Sedaka’s cause of death has been revealed nearly three weeks after his passing at the age of 86 on February 27; seen in 2014 in Los Angeles
Sedaka died of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, per a death certificate first obtained by the California Post; seen in 1955
Kidney failure was also listed as a factor into his death last month.
Sedaka was embalmed at the Hollywood Funeral Home while a burial took place on March 3 at the Beth Olam cemetery in Los Angeles, according to the death certificate.
The star’s passing on February 27 was confirmed by his loved ones in an emotional statement.
‘Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,’ they began.
‘A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.’
The famed 1960s and 1970s crooner was reportedly rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles shortly before his death.
TMZ claimed Sedaka woke up not feeling too well, so paramedics were called to his home at around 8 AM PST.
The musician was then taken to a nearby hospital to get checked out.
Sedaka was embalmed at the Hollywood Funeral Home while a burial took place on March 3 at the Beth Olam cemetery in Los Angeles, according to the death certificate; seen in 1964
The star’s passing on February 27 was confirmed by his loved ones in an emotional statement; seen in 1977
The famed 1960s and 1970s crooner was reportedly rushed to a hospital in Los Angeles shortly before his death; seen in 2023 in L.A.
Just hours later, Sedaka’s family confirmed the heartbreaking news that he had passed away.
Two days earlier on February 25, the singer was spotted grabbing dinner in his final picture.
He enjoyed a bite to eat at Craig’s restaurant in L.A. and according to photographers, the music artist had been in ‘good spirits.’
The velvet-voiced Grammy-nominated Sedaka got his start in the 1950s with the band The Tokens.
He is best known for the catchy 1960s tune Breaking Up Is Hard To Do which he recorded after he became a solo artist.
The Brighton Beach, New York native also sang Oh! Carol and Calendar Girl which skyrocketed on the charts.
He had two big hits in the 1970s with the beloved singles Laughter In The Rain and Bad Blood.
Sedaka has been nominated for five Grammy awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983.
Sedaka has been nominated for five Grammy awards and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983; seen in 2007
The star is a prolific songwriter who has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and other artists.
Some of the top songs Sedaka wrote for other stars include Stupid Cupid for Connie Francis, Is This the Way To Amarillo for Tony Christie and Love Will Keep Us Together for Captain & Tennille.
He also served as a guest judge on season two of American Idol.
Sedaka had been married to Leba Strassberg since 1962 and they welcomed two children: Dara and Marc.
In 1947, he auditioned successfully for a piano scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music’s Preparatory Division for Children, which he attended on Saturdays.
He started writing pop songs at age 13 with a poet neighbor. His first hit was 1961’s Calendar Girl.
Sedaka had been married to Leba Strassberg since 1962 and they have two children: Dara and Marc; seen in 1979 in NYC
The year 1962 was one of the most successful of Sedaka’s career, with Breaking Up Is Hard To Do reaching number one and Next Door to an Angel getting to number five; Sedaka seen with Elton John (left) in 1975
Other early hits were Little Devil, Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen and Next Door to an Angel.
The year 1962 was one of the most successful of Sedaka’s career, with Breaking Up Is Hard To Do reaching number one and Next Door to an Angel getting to number five.
He financed the recording, production, and distribution of new CDs and repackaging of his existing catalog of music through his own business, Neil Sedaka Music.
Because of disputes with RCA Records over the ownership of his original hits from the late 1950s and early 1960s, Sedaka in 1991 re-recorded those tunes.
