Donna Summer Dead at 63 After Succumbing to Cancer
Donna Summer died on Thursday morning at the age of 63 after a long battle with cancer, according to reports.
The singer, who was famously dubbed "the queen of disco" following her rise to fame in the 1970s, passed away in Florida, according to TMZ.
"While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy," Summers' family said in a statement to Essence.com. "Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time."
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The five time Grammy winner became a superstar in the 1970s for her iconic hits including "Last Dance," "Hot Stuff" and "Bad Girls."
Summer's musical success expanded through to the 1980s when she left Casablanca Records and signed on with Geffen Records.
Her 80s hits included "She Works Hard for the Money" and "This Time I Know It's for Real" and while her dominance was prevalent, the born-again Christian faced public backlash during the same era.
In the mid-1980s, Summer made remarks about homosexuality and AIDS that were perceived by some as homophobic. Although she insisted that she did not hate gays, critics began to boycott her music.
"A couple of the people I write with are gay, and they have been ever since I met them. What people want to do with their bodies is their personal preference," Summer told The Advocate in 1989.
Summer was later able to revive her career and went on to produce top ten hits on Billboard's Dance Chart in the new millennium.
Summer leaves behind her husband of 32 years Bruce Sudano, three daughters and four grandchildren.
