Billy Steinberg, the Grammy-winning songwriter behind pop classics like Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' and Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors,' died on February 16, 2026, from cancer in Los Angeles. He was 75 years old. Steinberg's collaborations, often with Tom Kelly, produced five No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, all performed by women artists.
Billy Steinberg, a prolific lyricist known for emotional power ballads, passed away on February 16, 2026, in Los Angeles after battling cancer. His attorney confirmed the death to Billboard, noting he was 10 days shy of his 76th birthday. Steinberg's career spanned over 30 years, with compositions recorded by artists including Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, the Bangles, Heart, and Whitney Houston.
Steinberg co-wrote five No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits with longtime partner Tom Kelly: Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' (six weeks at No. 1 in 1984-85), Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' (two weeks in 1986), Whitney Houston's 'So Emotional' (one week in 1988), Heart's 'Alone' (three weeks in 1987), and the Bangles' 'Eternal Flame' (one week in 1989). Other notable songs include the Bangles' 'In Your Room' (No. 5, 1989), Divinyls' 'I Touch Myself' (No. 4, 1991), and JoJo's 'Too Little Too Late' (No. 3, 2006).
Reflecting on 'Like a Virgin,' Steinberg told the Los Angeles Times that the song drew from personal romantic experiences, describing a new relationship that felt healing and profound. For 'True Colors,' originally inspired by his mother, Lauper adapted it for a friend who died of AIDS, turning it into an LGBTQIA anthem of acceptance.
Cyndi Lauper shared a statement with Billboard: "I'm so sorry to hear of Billy Steinberg’s passing. He was a great lyricist and a wonderful collaborator... Pure genius." His son Ezra recalled the excitement around JoJo's 'Too Little Too Late,' saying, "I felt this deep sense of pride and elation."
A Fresno native who grew up in Palm Springs and attended Bard College, Steinberg began with his band Billy Thermal before breaking through with Linda Ronstadt's 'How Do I Make You' (No. 10, 1980). Later, he collaborated with Rick Nowels on Celine Dion's 'Falling Into You,' earning a Grammy in 1997. Nowels described Steinberg as a poet with an encyclopedic knowledge of popular songs.
Steinberg is survived by his wife Trina, sons Ezra and Max, sisters Barbara and Mary, and stepchildren Raul and Carolina. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2011.
