The Carpenters (written without an article) were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen and Richard Carpenter. Producing a distinctively soft musical style, they became among the best-selling music artists of all time, with 100 million albums and singles worldwide . During their 14-year career, the Carpenters recorded 11 albums, 31 singles, five television specials, and a short-lived television series. The Carpenters had three No. 1 singles and five No. 2 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and fifteen No. 1 hits on the Adult Contemporary chart, and also 12 top 10 singles. Their career ended in 1983 by Karen’s death from heart failure brought on by complications of anorexia. Extensive news coverage surrounding the circumstances of her death increased public awareness of eating disorders.