Donna Summer: The life story you may not know

The Queen of Disco was born LaDonna Adrian Gaines on Dec. 31, 1948, in Boston. Her first six years were spent in the Mission Hill projects.

Summer's father was a butcher, and her mother was a teacher. The couple had seven children, including the Grammy-winning singer. Their home on Parker Hill Avenue still attracts faithful fans to this day.

Summer's first performance was at age 10 at church. Her priest summoned Summer to the stage when the singer slated to perform was a no-show. The audience was in awe of Summer's powerful voice and talent. The seminal moment forecasted her fame.

Summer was the star of many musicals at Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Boston. She auditioned for a life-changing role just before she graduated.

She went to Germany to perform in the musical "Hair" when she was 18. While in Europe, she honed her craft at the Vienna Folk Opera and was part of the cast of "Godspell" and "Show Boat." In 1968, she released her first single, "Aquarius," a German version of the song from the musical "Hair."

She wed her first husband, Austrian actor Helmuth Sommer, in 1972. The couple had a daughter, Mimi. They divorced in 1972, but she used the anglicized version of his name for her brand.

Summer inked a contract with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte. The team released a few hits in Europe before launching Summer's career with the steamy hit song "Love to Love You Baby." The trio went on to define the disco music of the '70s.

After "Love to Love You Baby" became a sensation in the United States, Summer was celebrated as a sex goddess. She became despondent with her reputation and tried to take her own life. After getting help, she reconnected with her faith. In 1979, she became a born-again Christian.

Summer had a top 40 hit each year for eight consecutive years. One of her favorite hits she produced during that time was "Last Dance." NPR reported that she told them she would perform that song for the rest of her life.

"Live and More" was her first album to ascend to #1 on the Billboard album charts, featuring "MacArthur Park," her first #1 single. In 1979 she had two more #1 singles, "Bad Girls" and "Hot Stuff," from her "Bad Girl" album. She was the first female singer to garner three #1 hits in the same calendar year.

Summer's inspiration for "She Works Hard for the Money" was a bathroom attendant named Onetta Johnson at LA's tony bistro Chasen's. She had fallen asleep, and Summer accidentally jolted her awake when she went to the ladies' room. The experience inspired the lyrics for the hit song.

Summer married fellow songwriter and musician Bruce Sudano in July 1980. Sudano helped manage Summer's career and was a songwriter who co-wrote "Bad Girls" along with hits for Dolly Parton and Jermaine Jackson.

She recorded a disco duet with Barbara Steisand before branching off to a new beat. By 1983, she transitioned from her signature disco sound into an edgy R&B vibe.

Summer gave birth to daughters, Amanda and Brooklyn, in the early 1980s. Singer Amanda is married to fellow musician Abner Ramirez, with whom she shares three children. Actress Brooklyn is married to Mike McGlaflin, and the couple has one daughter.

Summer's hit "She Works Hard for the Money" appeared on MTV. She was the first Black woman in a video to be frequently played on the platform.

Although Summer continued to produce music through the late 1980s, she never regained her disco magic. She became vocal about her feelings about her former music being sinful and sought solace in painting.

Summer tapped into her creative well and discovered a new passion for painting. She exhibited her works in galleries nationwide, establishing her credibility as a visual artist.

Summer's popularity declined when she was embroiled in a controversy about homophobic comments she allegedly made about gay fans. Although she denied making the comments, her image suffered.

Summer received the Walk of Fame's 1,952nd star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in March 1992. Dick Clark and Steven Seagal joined family and fans to celebrate the milestone.

Summer appeared in the popular TV series "Family Matters." She was cast as Aunt Oona.

Summer continued to create hit songs early in the 21st century. After a 17-year hiatus, she again hit the top. Her 2008 album "Crayons" produced three songs that topped Billboard's music charts. The last single she created in 2010, "To Paris with Love," also dominated the charts.

Summer wrote candidly about her life in her autobiography "Ordinary Girl: The Journey," which was co-written with Marc Eliot. Along with her stardom, she opened up about her battles with depression and drug addiction and her spiritual journey as a born-again Christian.

Summer performed in Oslo, Norway, when President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She sang a set of six songs at the concert including "MacArthur Park" and "Last Dance."

Summer died on May 17, 2012, at home in Naples, Florida, after a battle with lung cancer. She was 63 years old.

Summer was posthumously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in April 2013. Her husband and daughters accepted the award in her honor. Destiny Child's Kelly Rowland gave a tribute to the Queen of Disco.