Lovingly named the "Queen of Disco," the 63-year-old was in Florida at the time of her death, according to TMZ. Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines, the 5-time Grammy award winner rose to fame in the '70s with hits like "Hot Stuff," "Bad Girls" and "Love to Love You Baby."
Following the news of Summer's passing, the singer's family released a statement saying that they "are at peace celebrating her extraordinary life and her continued legacy."
TMZ also reports that Summer was working on a forthcoming album at the time of her death.
"RIP #DonnaSummer - dined with her a few months ago, and she sang Amazing Grace to guests with stunning power. Great lady, wonderful talent," Piers Morgan tweeted about the late singer.
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)
Donna Summer
Singer Donna Summer and musician/producer David Foster perform 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)
Donna Summer
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)
Donna Summer
Singer Donna Summer performs during the David Foster and Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 15, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Singer Donna Summer performs during the David Foster and Friends concert at the Mandalay Bay Events Center October 15, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer arrives at the Louis Vuitton Bond Street Maison launch on New Bond Street on May 25, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer performs at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert at Oslo Spektrum on December 11, 2009 in Oslo, Norway. Tonight's Nobel Peace Prize Concert is hosted by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and honours this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner US President Barack Obama. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer and Will Smith attend the Nobel Peace Prize Concert Press Conference at Plaza Hotel on December 11, 2009 in Oslo, Norway. (Photo by Sandy Young/Getty Images for Nobel Peace Prize)
Donna Summer
Musician Donna Summer performs on stage at the 14th Annual Race To Erase MS 'Dance to Erase MS' charity event at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on April 13, 2007 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
American Idol 2008 Grand Finale - Press Room
Singer Donna Summer poses in the press room during the American Idol Season 7 Grand Finale held at the Nokia Theatre on May 21, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer sings God Bless America in the seventh inning stretch of game two of the World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals on October 24, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Artist/recording artist Donna Summer attends the opening of her Art Rock exhibit at the Entertainment Gallery in the Farmer's Market complex on October 18, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer poses during an in-store appearance to promote her new book 'Ordinary Girl' at Book Soup on Sunset Blvd October 17, 2003 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Giulio Marcocchi /Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Recording artist Donna Summer performs May 29, 2003, at the Partnership for Public Service Inaugural Gala at Ciprianis Fortysecond Street in New York City. (Photo by Lawrence Lucier/Getty Images)
Donna Summer
Donna Summer performing on the VH1Diva's 2000: A Tribute to Diana Ross at the Theater Madison Square Garden, April 9, 2000.
Donna Summer died Thursday morning after a battle with lung cancer.
Lovingly named the "Queen of Disco," the 63-year-old was in Florida at the time of her death, according to TMZ...
Donna Summer died Thursday morning after a battle with lung cancer.
Lovingly named the "Queen of Disco," the 63-year-old was in Florida at the time of her death, according to TMZ...
Posted: 05/17/2012 11:44 am Updated: 05/17/2012 9:00 pm