Donna Summer (born Donna Adrian Gaines, December 31, 1948 – May 17, 2012) was an American singer-songwriter, known as the “Queen of Disco”. She rose to fame in the 1970s, collaborating with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte on hits like “Love to Love You Baby”, “I Feel Love”, “Hot Stuff”, and “Bad Girls”.
She had 32 Billboard Hot 100 chart singles, including four number ones. Summer died of lung cancer in 2012 at her Naples, Florida home. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.
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Donna Summer Net Worth
Donna Summer had a net worth of $75 million at the time of her death. She owned multiple properties, including a 25-acre estate in Brentwood, Tennessee (1994) and a 104-acre property in College Grove, Tennessee (1996).
In 1997, she bought a 2.2-acre bay-front home on Shelter Island, New York. She later acquired a condo in Naples, Florida (2000) and a $3.6 million oceanfront home in Englewood, Florida (2007).
Early life
Donna Adrian Gaines (born December 31, 1948, Boston) was the third of seven children of Andrew and Mary Gaines. Raised in Mission Hill, she performed in church at age 10. She attended Jeremiah E. Burke High School but left for New York City in 1967, joining the band Crow.
In 1968, she starred in Hair in Munich, launching her career. She married Helmuth Sommer in 1973, had daughter Mimi Sommer, and later wed Bruce Sudano in 1980. She recorded early singles before achieving global success.
Career
Donna Summer planned a standards and dance album in 2010. She released “To Paris With Love”, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Dance Chart. She performed on PBS’s Hitman Returns and America’s Got Talent. In 2011, she judged Platinum Hit and recorded “Angel” with O’Mega Red.
Posthumously, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2013). Her music saw re-releases, including Love to Love You Donna (2013) and I’m a Rainbow: Recovered & Recoloured (2021). The 2023 HBO documentary honored her legacy.
Personal life
Donna Summer was raised in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She married Bruce Sudano of Brooklyn Dreams in 1980, and they had two daughters, Brooklyn and Amanda Sudano.
A founding member of Oasis Church in Los Angeles, she and her family moved to Nashville in 1995, where she took a break from music to focus on painting, a passion she developed in the 1980s.
How did Donna Summer pass?
Donna Summer passed away in 2012 from lung cancer at her home in Naples, Florida. She was a legendary singer known for her impact on disco and dance music, recording 16 number-one singles on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart.
Conclusion
Donna Summer’s journey from a talented singer in church choirs to a global disco sensation is a story of remarkable success. Her legacy as the “Queen of Disco” is celebrated through her timeless music and the impact she had on the music industry.
FAQs about Donna Summer
- What is Donna Summer’s most famous song? – “I Feel Love” and “Last Dance” are among her most iconic tracks.
- Did Donna Summer act in films? – Yes, she appeared in the film “Thank God It’s Friday.”
- What was Donna Summer’s impact on disco music? – She revolutionized disco with her innovative sound and style.
- Did Donna Summer have any children? – Yes, she had three daughters.
- Where was Donna Summer’s primary residence? – She owned several homes, including properties in Tennessee and Florida.
