Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer.

Anorexia is a serious psychological disorder. It is a condition that goes well beyond out-of-control dieting. The person with anorexia, most often a girl or young woman, initially begins dieting to lose weight. Over time, the weight loss becomes a sign of mastery and control. Carpenter suffered from anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder which was little known at the time. She died in 1983 at age 32 from heart failure caused by complications related to her illness.