Grace Bumbry, a trailblazing Black opera singer who broke down racial barriers and blazed trails in the classical music world, has died at the age of 86, according to her son and publicist.

She died in a Vienna hospital on May 7 after suffering a stroke in October. Bumbry made her operatic debut in Paris in 1960 as Amneris in “Aida” and became a favorite of US first lady Jackie Kennedy.

Her nearly four-decade career earned her great acclaim for her performances in roles that showcased her vocal range and star power.

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Bumbry was born in St. Louis in 1937 and grew up in an era of profound racial segregation, but despite being barred from entering the local music conservatory, she went on to study at Boston University and Northwestern University on scholarships.

She became the first African American to perform at Germany’s Bayreuth Festival in 1961 and became a major figure in breaking down racial barriers in classical music.

In 2009, she received the Kennedy Center Honor, one of the highest American arts awards. Bumbry retired from opera in 1997, but remained professionally active as a teacher and concert performer, also founding the Grace Bumbry Black Musical Heritage Ensemble.