SA Footy

DONNA Summer, whose pulsing disco anthems became the soundtrack for a glittery age of sex and dance, has died of cancer.

Her family released a statement to say they "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," the statement read.

Summer was 63 and had been living in Englewood, Florida, with husband Bruce Sudano, and had been battling breast cancer away from the public spotlight, reportedly keeping the seriousness of her condition from her fans as she tried to complete another album.

She came to prominence just as disco was burgeoning, and came to define the era with a string of No. 1 hits and her beauty-queen looks.

But unlike some other stars of disco who faded as the music became less popular, she was able to grow beyond it and later segued to a pop-rock sound. She had one of her biggest hits in the 1980s with She Works Hard For The Money, which became another anthem, this time for women's rights.