Opera soprano Beverly Sills, called "America's Queen of Opera" by Time Magazine, and known as "Bubbles" to her fans, was the face of opera for millions through her public performances, recordings and broadcasts during a singing career of more than four decades.
After retiring in 1980, she stayed in the public eye for the next three decades as head of music organizations, host of public television specials, and as chairperson for national charities. With her death in 2007, the opera world lost one of its most visible and endearing supporters.