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Donna Summer Dead: Disco Legend Dies After Losing Private Battle Against Cancer

Posted: Updated: 17/05/2012 19:05

Donna Summer, the iconic disco singer, has died at the age of 63, after a private battle with cancer.

Her family have confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ website, saying they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continue legacy".

According to TMZ.com, Summer was in Florida at the time of her death. They say:

Sources close to Summer tell us ... the singer was trying to keep the extent of her illness under wraps. We spoke to someone who was with Summer a couple of weeks ago ... who says she didn't seem too bad.

And sources close to singer have told TMZ, "Donna believed she contracted the illness by inhaling toxic particles after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York".

DISCO DIVA: We Remember Donna Summer's Remarkable Career

The Daily Mail reports that the disco queen was keen to keep her illness private from her fans and was battling to finish a new album. Read more here...

Donna Summer was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums at the number one position in the US and was a five time Grammy Award winner.


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  • David Foster And Friends In Concert

    LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 01: Singer Donna Summer performs during the David Foster and Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 1, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

  • 2011 Winter TCA Tour - Day 5

    PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 09: Singer Donna Summer performs onstage during the 'Great Performances: Hitman Returns - David Foster & Friends' panel at the PBS portion of the 2011 Winter TCA press tour held at the Langham Hotel on January 9, 2011 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

  • Nobel Peace Prize Concert Rehearsals

    OSLO, NORWAY - DECEMBER 10: Donna Summer performs during the Nobel Peace Prize Concert Rehearsals at Oslo Spektrum on December 10, 2009 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Sandy Young/Getty Images for Nobel Peace Prize)

  • Disco diva Donna Summer poses for photographers during a signing at HMV music store in Oxford Street, central London to promote both her new book 'Ordinary Girl', and her latest album 'The Very Best Of Donna Summer'.

  • Donna Summer performs live concert at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, CA, USA on June 25, 2009.

  • Donna Summer performs live on stage during the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, held at the Oslo Spectrum, in Oslo, Norway, on December 11, 2009.

  • Singer Donna Summer holds her award at the Billboard Number 1 Music Awards in Santa Monica, Ca., Dec. 11, 1977. Summer was given the top disco artist of the year award. (AP Photo)

  • Singer Donna Summer swings the skirt of her leopard print dress as she performs during her concert at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, Ca., Wednesday night, Aug. 11, 1979. (AP Photo)

  • American singer Donna Summer arrives at Heathrow Airport for her sold out concert tour of Britain.

  • Singer Donna Summer poses with three awards she won at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Ca., Jan. 12, 1979. Summer won for favorite female vocalist; favorite single record, "Last Dance"; and favorite album "Live and More" in a newly-created disco category. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
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Donna Summer, the iconic disco singer, has died at the age of 63, after a private battle with cancer. Her family have confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ website, saying they "are at peace ce...
Donna Summer, the iconic disco singer, has died at the age of 63, after a private battle with cancer. Her family have confirmed the news in a statement to TMZ website, saying they "are at peace ce...
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All she asked "is that you dance with me," and dance we did. Donna Summer, the voice of an era, gone at 63.

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carps1000
15 Fans
08:53 AM on 05/19/2012
Still crying now. The music world has lost a goddess. It took me years to get over Karen Carpenter passing away so young and now my other favourite singing superstar has gone. There will be no "Summers " now for a long time for me
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
GingerlyColors
No will to change it, no right to criticize it
72 Fans
06:08 PM on 05/18/2012
I am sad to hear of Donna Summer's passing at a relatively young age. She was one of the most important contributers to the disco scene of the late seventies but anti-gay comments which I believed were said on her behalf and attributed to her jepordised her career. I remember the cover version of 'I Feel Love' by Marc Almond and Bronski Beat who were apparantly reluctant to pay her royalties because of those alleged remarks.
Donna Summer enjoyed a brief revival in the late 1980's when she was signed up to Stock, Aitkin & Waterman but she will always be remembered for her classics such as 'Loves Unkind', 'I Feel Love' and 'Hot Stuff'. She also did an abridged cover version of Richard Harris's 'MacArthur Park'. I have her compilation album, 'Endless Summer' which unfortunately omits a couple of her best hits, 'Down Deep Inside' and 'I Remember Yesterday'. Sadly it seems as though our Summer has come to an end.
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TOGT
2 Fans
03:13 PM on 05/18/2012
Seldom bother with so-called "Celeb" stories, but Donna, you willl be sadly missed. Thank you for your talent and that beautiful voice. RIP.
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Dennis Pye
0 Fans
12:40 PM on 05/18/2012
donna summer.what a sad loss.what a great artist she was.and still is.RIP.
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azbenahmed
92 Fans
 
12:32 PM on 05/18/2012
I was born after most of her greatests hits but that sort of music is iconic and lives on.. and it will continue to do so after her death. I've always known of her and her music.
RIP Donna.. what a legend and you kept it classy til the very end. xxx
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tonzer55
22 Fans
11:37 AM on 05/18/2012
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=f0h8Pjf4vNM

Watch this video. I Feel Love defined the 70s for me and brings back great memories. You were Great Donna. Rest in peace.
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johnrayner
3 Fans
11:04 AM on 05/18/2012
R.I.P DONNA A REAL DIVA
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Alec Falconer
God save our queen.
106 Fans
10:53 AM on 05/18/2012
Very sad news Donna was one of the true greats another victim of 9/11 i do believe, may you sing your heart out to the great one up above Donna RIP.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
azbenahmed
92 Fans
 
12:30 PM on 05/18/2012
a victim of 9/11???
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Belthazor A
12 Fans
02:52 PM on 05/18/2012
Horrible toxic dust inhalation, the cause of this sadness.
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Alec Falconer
God save our queen.
106 Fans
03:06 PM on 05/18/2012
Sadly Donna stated that she had inhaled a lot of dust when that terrible mass murder took place.
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barrysmail58
1 Fans
10:12 AM on 05/18/2012
I had the pleasure of seeing her live at the Rainbow,Finsbury Park many moons ago and what a great show she put on,the real queen of disco.RIP Donna,you are part of my history.
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samlewy68
19 Fans
08:28 AM on 05/18/2012
So sad to hear Donna Summers passing....Ive many great memories of her music growing up in the 70s and going to my Disco Dancing lessons when I was 8 and 9. Another Great singer gone too soon.
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deafadam
3 Fans
08:16 AM on 05/18/2012
An era is at a close, RIP Donna
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Flinglebunt
53 Fans
06:26 AM on 05/18/2012
Just read through all the comments. Can't add anything that has not been said already.

RIP girl.
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Charmaine Rohlandt
10 Fans
12:37 AM on 05/18/2012
Wow! This was a shock. Had no idea that she was even that old. Showing my age. RIP Donna and thank you for your music! Part of the soundtrack of my youth!
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Ladymacre
41 Fans
11:24 PM on 05/17/2012
Talented and dignified, no washing of her dirty linen in public, a true great. RIP fabulous Donna and condolences to your loved ones - whoever and wherever they are.
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MsBubblyBlonde
Sassy,brassy,kiss my assy.
178 Fans
11:14 PM on 05/17/2012
I hope all the glitter balls spin lovingly in memory of her.She was part of a wonderful era in music and she caused many people to boogie to her amazing music.McArthur Park was a very special song in my disco days and her talents will live on for ever more.
RIP.
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