Summer, whose real name is LaDonna Adrian Gaines, died at her Naples, Florida home yesterday. A source to close to the family said the singer was suffering from lung cancer.
"Early this morning, surrounded by family, we lost Donna Summer Sudano, a woman of many gifts, the greatest being her faith. While we grieve her passing, we are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy. Words truly can't express how much we appreciate your prayers and love for our family at this sensitive time," Summer's family said in a statement.
The five time Grammy award winner was the first artist to have three consecutive albums reach No 1 on the US Billboard chart. Her hits during the disco era of the 1970s like "Last Dance", "Bad Girls" and "Love to Love You Baby" made her an icon, reported ABC news.
Born outside of Boston, Summer was raised by devout Christian parents who introduced her to both gospel and classical music.
Summer left home at age 18 to audition for the Broadway production of "Hair" and got a role in the show when it moved to Germany.
The disco diva's last album, "Crayons", was released in 2008. In 2010, she told in an interview that she was working on an album of disco standards.
Summer is survived by her husband, Bruce Sudano, three children, and four grandchildren.