What They NEVER Told You About The Death of Donna Summer

[@tiffsaver]

I met Donna Summer in 1991 when I was working on the set of "Honeymoon in Vegas." I was a struggling actor in those days, and I noticed her beautiful artwork on sale in the showroom of the Bally Hotel. In the spotlight was one striking painting that I knew I could not afford, but I knew I HAD to have. It sold for $25,000. but when she learned that I would only make $5,000. for the entire week, she accepted it as payment in full, making the shop owner pretty angry at the monetary loss. She wouldn't even charge me the $250. charge to have it shipped to me. I will never forget her kindness and generosity to me, a total stranger, and just wanted you to know what an incredibly kind and generous human being she truly was.

[@syfman6]

Beautiful story. 💚🎸

[@jacknjill3000]

Wow and what an incredible story. What an Angel Donna was.

[@JorgeEscobar-s8q]

I met Donna Summer when I was eating with a group of colleagues at a restaurant in Beverly Hills in 2009. She was with a female friend. Donna was wearing sunglasses and I knew it was her by the way she was laughing with her friend. I live in LA and see celebrities all the time, but I was star struck seeing her. I went over to her table to tell her how much I enjoy her music. She was charming, funny and so welcoming. I didn't want to feel like a stalker, so kept it brief. She left before me and stopped by my table to tell me bye. When we were done eating, I asked for my check and the waiter told me that it was taken care of. Donna Summer bought us lunch. I was floored. What a gracious lady.

[@jacknjill3000]

Wow and what a classy sweet lady. Thanks for sharing and I don’t get very star struck, but would’ve went nuts if I saw Donna. I was lucky to get 2 free tickets to see her “She works hard for the money” concert in 1983.

[@jacknjill3000]

Wow! I think in 2009 many didn’t know who she was and she was not being played on the radio. So I think she was touched being recognized by you.

[@JorgeEscobar-s8q]

@@jacknjill3000 People knew who she was in 2009. It is Donna Summer, not some nobody.

[@j.rboyle8731]

💯💯

[@Darrigrande]

When I heard after her passing I felt a pain and sorrow as were the loss of a dear friend! Rest in peace, dear lady!

[@AnnButowski]

I admired Donna Summer and her talent very much. Her voice truly was a musical instrument. I was sincerely saddened when I first heard of her early death .I respectfully still occasionally offer a prayer for her and her family. Thank you for making beautiful music in the world Donna!

[@batmaan10]

Donna Summer is a true Icon. A true trailblazer. Her music will live forever.

[@missparsley3202]

Donna Summer was an icon of disco music and she passed way too soon. I will always listen to "on the radio" with a profound feeling of romanticism that no other song can arouse in me, as it was my heartbroken song from the age of 13, still the message always gave me hope to stand firm. Thank you Donna. May you sing forever to the Lord Almighty up in Heaven above. Amen.🙏🙏🙏🍀❤️

[@dwayitis]

All I can say is that I miss Donna Summer’s presence in this word as well as her stellar voice. Her music was then and continues to be today, a source of joy in my life.

[@Angelisa-hi3fv]

Summer didn't tell anyone she was sick because she didn't want anyone pitying her.

[@hourglasstv01]

Donna Summer kept her illness private to avoid receiving pity from others.

[@traciemarsh1611]

or maybe because she wanted to keep it private it was her life after all

[@starlightrocks7]

All of you are wrong! She kept it a secret to avoid outside interference or doubt because she was standing on faith to be healed.

[@karasays01]

@@starlightrocks7 I heard this from one of her daughters in an interview. It was heartbreaking as her sister passed from lung cancer too! And Donna had prayed with fans who had cancer and when they would return to concerts claim they were healed. Donna had survived death so many times. God needed her more than us.

[@starlightrocks7]

@@karasays01 God don't need us, we need him, but he loves us passionately.

[@jacknjill3000]

Didn’t know Donna was in a group called Crow and now I have to look for it. Thanks Ms Donna Summer for all the all the great songs you gave us and left. RIP The Queen of Disco.

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

whenever I read about Donna having been in an early production of "Hair" I wonder if the production included the famous nude scene.

[@lisajohnson24lj]

I loved her she was beautiful inside and out , her vocal chords and passion and faith 💯I believe is what made her excel and even at her untimely ending , she was s 🤫 about her health as she didn’t want this to be apart of her legacy that left us all saddened ,she put disco on the map without a doubt, but she was so much more she was and is an icon and a legend and a true black woman to live and be empowered by , literally on Christmas Eve , 🇬🇧Bcc2 showed a documentary about her life within the music 🎶 industry , I felt this was a beautiful accolade, for a legend 🇬🇧🙏🏽💛💡always Ms Summer’s🕊️🤍

[@jaiyabyrd4177]

*This Video was absolutely beautiful* Thank you

[@jenniferealymig85]

She was my favorite singer always.

[@hourglasstv01]

Details about Donna Summer's death may not have been made public. On May 17, 2012, this famous artist passed away after a battle with lung cancer. For accurate information, you should refer to reliable sources or official documents.

[@JimmieJamOfTheDay]

Donna Summer is The Voice to me. Most singers sound the same on every song. Occasionally, Donna did not. This is what set her apart, vocally, from other well known female singers in my book.

[@perlamargarita8040]

She is The Voice. Whitney is so vanilla compared to her.... No one compares to Donna.

[@karasays01]

Exactly she could change her voice to fit a song. She is my fav singer as well as Karen Carpenter. Donnas influences are not well known from her obvious mahalia jackson early influences but Janis Joplin, Dinah Washington is heard for me Connie Francis too. She is a true vocalist.

[@grouchosays]

Only 63 years old. What a loss. I was crazy about her. Still am. Endless talent and beauty. Saw her perform in Tampa. Unforgettable.

[@LisaHopkins-fl9er]

Beautiful and humble.

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks whoever uploaded this.

[@henryhoeflaken9524]

I love Donna Summer, she was the best singer ever ❤

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

I loved her so much. I was a big fan.

[@lunnouxhinds8464]

Awesome. On of the best documentaries that lve seen about her.

[@glorialovesChrist]

Some people don't tell that they are sick. They don't want pitty or sympathy. They want privacy. Others tell their fans for prayers and emotional support. Please see Love to Love You Donna Summer Documentary by her daughter director Brooklyn Sudano.

[@averyfisher9967]

2012 was a bad year Whitney’s death then Donna’s death was just too much

[@justjackjordinjustin]

Don Cornelius 2/1/2012 Whitney Houston ,2/11/2012 Dick Clark 4/18/2012 Donna Summer 5/17/2012 Yep, way way too much

[@angelhelp6819]

I wish that was hereDonna summer she would make new albums and record new ones I miss her very much shoe show rest in peace 🕊️

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

it says a lot about how special she was that Barbra Streisand agreed to work with her since Streisand was very selective about whom she collaborated with and even turned down Michael Jackson.

[@jacknjill3000]

I wonder what the song or sings would have been like if Barbra worked and out out a song with MJ, regardless of who she wanted to work with or not,

[@SWSimpson]

Barbara's son listened to Donna Summer records in his room, not his Mom's records. They sang together at her house, and Barbra liked her and liked the song, and agreed... in pat to please her son. Barbra said she saw Donna just months before she passed, and that she looked amazing and they had a good time together. I miss her every day, but when I am laid to my final rest, I'm going to hear her sing again in person.

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

Jackson asked Streisand to do the duet "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" with him and she turned him down. Since they both have such high voices a duet would have been interesting but in my opinion that song is pretty weak even though it was a hit.@@jacknjill3000

[@shyman99]

Barbra worked with Don Johnson, so no, she was not that selective. She only worked with Donna because Donna was the most popular singer in the world in 1979 and Barbra wanted to ride another coattail.

[@TooSkinnyKenny]

@@SWSimpson My girl friend Cha Cha is chasing Donna in heaven, bugging her to sing "Lucky" and "Sunset People".

[@odalysgonzalez2847]

She was the best I love all her songs

[@johnbrown4936]

Beautiful video

[@bessiebessie3480]

She was great,every song was great,and that voice

[@JCOLON901]

I have the privilege to see her in concert twice, she's been my number one diva since 1976 when I was 10. When she die I was devastating and didn't know anything about she was sick. I love you and always will be. I'm your truly fan Donna Summer. R.I.P. darling.

[@kevinhead6464]

VERY BEAUTIFUL VOICE❤️🎶

[@SWSimpson]

Make no mistake about it. Donna Summer has always had gay friends, from the time she was a young girl until the day she died. She had gay friends around her during that controversy too. Unfortunately, her manager and others chose to ignore the rumors because they thought it was absurd for anyone to believe that Donna Summer could be homophobic or that she would ever say anything so hateful and derogatory about her gay fans. Donna found out about it when an AIDS fundraiser was going to happen on the East Coast, and a general notice was sent out through the William Morris Agency for talent to perform. Donna immediately volunteered, she wanted to do it. She was floored when they responded, saying they didn't want her because she hates gay people. She demanded to know what happened and those closer to her sat her down and told her what had transpired - about a story in The Advocate magazine. She was furious she hadn't been told, but they really thought they were doing the right thing, protecting her when she was expecting a baby. She spoke out several times, trying to clear her name. Some listened, others did not. She had death threats and threats to kidnap her kids. What she told me personally about it, was that the controversy hurt a lot of people that she deeply loved and she had to fight for them. She also said that if they don't want her to sing again, then she won't sing again; but she had faith that it wouldn't come to that. It did, however, damage her career. Then, one day, a magazine printed the story as though it was a proven fact and didn't bother looking into it or asking her publicist or her about it. Because the article was written as fact and not merely the retelling of an old story, her attorney was able to act, and they sued the magazine, initially, for $30 Million. During this time, investigators were sent out trying to get to the bottom of the story. The story was born out of a concert and someone telling Donna that they had AIDS and asked Donna if she would pray for them. Of course, she would! Someone else in the audience was angered that someone asked for her prayers, and she said, Yes, that she would pray for them. This guy yelled at her and said the other guy [ or people with AIDS] didn't need her prayers. She replied by saying, He asked me, and I said I would. So I will. That angry person then contacted The Advocate and they printed this guy's version of the story. People who were at that concert were interviewed for the lawsuit and every single one of the those people who were there and heard the entire thing denied that Donna said anything derogatory about AIDS or gay people, and that she was kind, loving, and sensitive to someone who asked her for something as simple as a prayer. I knew Donna for many, many years, and I can say that I know she has prayed for me, and there was a terrible time in my life, which I told her about, and I could feel that people were praying for me. This is also when Donna shared a very personal and private bit of information about herself with me, and I asked her if her family knew. She said that some do and some do not. I promised I would never tell anyone, that I would honor her privacy. She said, "I know, but that's not why I told you. I shared that with you to help you see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that you will get through this. The next time I saw her in person, I walked into her dressing room and as soon as she saw me, she walked across the room and took me by my arm and said she was hoping I would be there so she could talk to me. She pulled me off into a corner and she said, "Okay. Now. How are you?" My eyes started to well up, and she said, "No. Don't cry. How are you?" I smiled, and stuffing down the tears, I said, "I have to thank you. If it wasn't for YOU, my Mother, and my Sister, I don't know that I would have gotten through it. So, thank you." No tears, but there was emotion in my voice. Donna then said, "Okay. I did something for you, now I need you to do something for me." I said, "ANYTHING! Name it!" And she held her arms out and open to me and said, "I need a hug." And so, I hugged her, and she said into my ear, "Scotty. I love you so much. You'll be alright now. Carry on." We both kind of laughed at her mention of "Carry On" because she recorded a song for her longtime friend and producer, Giorgio Moroder, and the song was called Carry On. But, she said it to lighten the moment and helped bring things out of the sadness and to where we wanted the mood to be - loving, respectful friends. When she had her book out, she signed my copy, "To Scotty, Love Mom". Donna told me prior to the lawsuit and the magazine article that led to it, that there were several beautiful gay men that she worked with and that they were all gone now. She said, when I say they were beautiful, I mean they were really beautiful, inside and out. Also, a good friend of hers and her husbands, was a married couple - he was an Oscar-winning songwriter (I got to hold the Oscar), and the wife was a ballsy East Coast interior decorator and managed Donna's business dealings with regard to her painting. She was also in England with Donna while she recorded the Stock, Aiken & Waterman produced album, Another Place and Time. The brother of the Oscar-winning songwriter was gay and a set designer for a very popular and long-running TV series. When he died from AIDS, the show dedicated the entire season to his memory. Donna sang at his funeral. At Christmas one year, I stopped by their house and left a clear glass Christmas ornament with a red ribbon suspended inside of it. Money from the sale went to an AIDS Organization. The wife answered the door and she was in tears when she opened the package, and she immediately put it on their tree. These are good Christian people who believe that loving your gay brother/brother-in-law is a Christian value. I understand not all people who call themselves Christians are that loving and accepting of anyone who is gay. So, what Donna did, is what Donna did best. When times are tough, go in alone, exposed, and tell them how you feel. She did that to settle her lawsuit with Casablanca Records (taken over by Mercury) - went in alone to Mercury, met with the president of the company without any attorneys present, just the two of them, and they came to a quick settlement agreement. So, Donna contacted ACT-Up LA, a somewhat radical AIDS activist group. Donna explained, very simply and to the point, and denied having said the things attributed to her in the Advocate, but if she has done anything to cause hurt, to please forgive her as that is not what she is about. She said she didn't walk away from them, they walked away from her. She also said, I know that you need me because I get a lot of letters from people telling me that. She asked if they could set aside the hurt that they felt, and she would set aside the hurt she felt, and can't we be friends? The answer from Act-Up was YES! And, Donna let it go. But, as I said before, she had gay people around her throughout. WE knew the truth, and we could tell people the truth, but sometimes people just want to stay angry and choose to believe rubbish. But, from thereon, gay clubs played her music, and gay men sold out her concerts. She did two nights at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios, in Studio City - sold out! That was in a November, I believe, and then she added New Years Eve date at that same venue, SOLD OUT. Her mom had recently passed away, and Donna said she wanted to sing a song for her Mom. She and her sister and other backup singers sang AMAZING GRACE - just her powerful voice belting out this amazing song. My William Morris friend told me, Who else but Donna Summer could get a packed theatre to sing Amazing Grace with her? During the taping of a TV show, I sat between Donna's husband, Bruce, and her long-time attorney (who was with his much younger boyfriend). When Donna passed away, it was one of her decades-long gay friends who provided the press release on behalf of the family. Donna's husband and her sister are just as loving and non-judgmental of gay people, they loved the people Donna loved, and I have had contact with both her sister and her husband a couple of times since her death. I love them too. While doing a photo shoot with Luther Vandross, Luther was looking through the photographer's portfolio, which I had put together, and saw photo of Donna Summer and he told me he LOVED her, but we aren't supposed to like her since she is homophobic. I had a chat with him and got him up to speed - she isn't and never was homophobic, and she loves YOU, Luther. He was really excited and said he was so glad that it's okay to love her again. When Luther died, so sad! An album was put together of Luther's hit songs performed by other artists, and Donna Summer recorded Luther's song "POWER of LOVE". I am honoring my promise to Donna about the personal thing, as far as I am comfortable. She didn't mention it in her autobiography, but her daughter, Brooklyn Sudano, brings it up in the documentary that she produced about her Mother. Brooklyn stated that she cleared this with her Dad before taking on the subject. So, I leave it to them to discuss, but I am not comfortable divulging anything more than what I have said here.

[@jacknjill3000]

Wow and I understand when false ideas are put out there to hurt you. I’ve been there when ppl. didn’t know the truth and believe the gossip. It must have been very hurtful to Donna and the ppl. that support her career to have lost believe an article and her publish not challenge it and kept from Donna. This kind of so call betrayals happens all the time to ppl. that are successful and have a great heart and trusting and many survive from this type of wrong doing. Now in these days very common in tjos cancel culture witch hunt.

[@SissyMchill1]

I should have that book published & printed.

[@RedRockMark]

Thank you so much for this beautiful, eloquent, and loving tribute to Donna and her legacy. I've always known deep down that she was truly beautiful inside and out, and her message was never one of judgment, but of love. Her music is all about love and bringing people together. How very fortunate that you were blessed being able to know her personally, and how fortunate for us fans that you are able to share that she was indeed the gifted artist and lovely person we always knew and believed her to be.

[@stacynewton-wm5ee]

Give me your unconditional love.........that song was big in the caribbean when she sang with musical youth from jamaica on stage a live show❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@todigargaceran2329]

Voice of Donna powerful and precise ❤

[@evelynrosariorosario1555]

Totally miss her love all her Cd going to Boston , Mass to see her sister Mary Gain , brother and other sister singing ❤️ ❤! I enjoyed her music 🎶 🎵

[@evelynrosariorosario1555]

Beautiful 3 daughters Mimi, Brooklyn and Amanda.

[@Paul-ci4gq]

I've always loved Donna summers voice it seems to draw you in like it's being intimate

[@lawrenceharris11-kg2ei]

This hurts stop with this she’s gone but was major accomplishment stop digging for dirt rip my queen❤❤❤❤ it’s 2024 …. Love always,,,,,,,,,

[@leelee8406]

DONNA SUMMER WAS THE FIRST FEMALE ARTIST I FELL IN LOVE WITH AS A YOUNG GIRL...I WAS SO MESMERIZED BY HER SONG COULD IT BE MAGIC...SHE DEFINITELY WAS A TRAILBLAZER. SHE IS ICONIC...SHE WILL FOREVER BE OUR DISCO QUEEN...REST IN PARADISE!!!❤❤❤

[@josecarlosrodriguezsanchez5614]

Not a Princess not a Queen but more a Queen of Queen's a Pharaoh of Disco music! No match yet! In a class of her own! 🌹💕🙏

[@elrinconmusicalOriginal]

The pleasure i have is that Donna Summer subscribed to one of my Channels, i was so amazed as she is one of my favorite Artists.

[@bethtyree6346]

RIP angel

[@ThePandora57]

MacArthur park was the bomb Rip Queen

[@catnbird]

My favorite

[@Darrigrande]

MacArthur Park is a Disco Simphony. An iconic tune that means a lot to all who were young in the 70s.

[@hourglasstv01]

"MacArthur Park" was indeed iconic. Rest in peace, Queen. 🌹

[@Darrigrande]

@@hourglasstv01 Mac Arthur Park was always the peak of the party. Great memories!

[@hourglasstv01]

you said it very well@@Darrigrande

[@jamesmransom]

Just the best!

[@shanegrim5421]

Love Donna forever and always

[@joederocco9321]

her husband was italian from my neighborhood. she was the best and gorgeus

[@chrissimpson6701]

Second Husband, first Husband was German.

[@joederocco9321]

@@chrissimpson6701 only had one husband fact. i knew her and bruce

[@ShanteBarze1950]

​@@joederocco9321 No she was Married before to her Daughter Mimi Father, they divorced, she later Married Bruce Sudana her two youngest Father. Halmuth Sommer was the first. Do your research.

[@traciemarsh1611]

rip beautiful lady

[@MsRoss-xv3nx]

Sza can play her in an autobiography ❤😊

[@phillycheez6288]

Kelly Rowland would be my choice 🤎🥲

[@robertkincaid7088]

I DANCED MANY A EVENING AT THE GAY CLUBS TO YOUR MUSIC..R.I.P. LADONNA GAINES AKA DONNA SUMMER..BOB IN CINCINNATI OHIO

[@HloniMonyai]

❤A Woman In Me❤

[@Darrigrande]

She was a woman like any other! Disco Queen, artist, mother, icon and a cristian. She is terribly missed!

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

her best years and best looks were before MTV and we seldom saw her or saw only american footage but she was very picturesque and nice to look at something that women lost by the 1990s.

[@MusicmanDavid]

So it took 20 minutes to repeat the same thing over and over and not add anything that wasn't already known. So what were we NEVER told about her death? The desperation for clicks and views is unbelievable, pathetic and sickening.👎

[@MusicmanDavid]

@@prettycity4788 Please report for misleading.

[@toddwiggins1493]

Could we do this without the narration and more audio from the clips?

[@Suepotter-q9e]

The best old school !

[@KiantraHall]

Today would be her Birthday ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@georgeplungis5283]

I liked to watch the show called CHIPS about motorcycle cops in California & in one episode there was a person in a car that was a Donna Summer look alike

[@gabrielsumariva1599]

BRAZIL LOVE DONNA !!

[@ncavlleguy]

A VOICE WE SHALL ALWAYS REMEMBER !!!!!

[@apollokain2542]

Why did they say her journey and then put a picture of her daughter??

[@Jaystar876]

Very suspect how they kept her death silent. Seem like a contract dead-line to me

[@neldab2]

she was on vid, stating the dust !

[@gwendefir3566]

Sad leaving her faith

[@ChantéMcCormick-e1d]

0:24 This photo is not Donna Summer. It's her daughter, Brooklyn Sudano. Do better. You just lost all credibility.

[@kevinmcshea6373]

I've often wondered if Donna Summer lost her fame with the negative comments towards gay community?

[@dampergoldenrod4156]

cant listen to this background music. she never disclosed what was going on as far as working on her albums in europe and what she felt about those albums and what was going on related to making those albums. She only talks about her personal experiences in europe. There was a lot that was not told about her time in europe.

[@Youlosewewin]

Iconic love to love her baby"

[@RanmineKimbini]

❤️🙏

[@robertpressman8406]

I don't blame her by not saying anything about her being sick and she wonted 2 keep her sickness private so no one can give her pity

[@roberta9833]

💐❤️

[@sabrinanascimento5248]

I didn’t know that she remembered the 9/11 attack.

[@jacquelinerussell8530]

I pretty much liked all o f Donna's songs except LOVE TO LOVE YOU BABY. I hated that song for obvious reasons

[@EmmettGlenn]

Who wrote this script? Reduce all those spoken words to a single sentence, and the narrative would be just as informative.

[@sharonhuthnance1100]

WHATS WITH THE CHRISTMAS MUSIC??????

[@sophroniamason2730]

My God, this verbal vomit of words said nothing about this great lady. I despise this kind of cl8ck bait. Why didnt you tell anything important about wonderful performer?

[@TryDiy]

Answer: Donna Summer, Question: What is a woman?

[@JohnnyHousno]

Repeating so much stuff and misspelled Giorgio Moroder's name

[@EagerStarfish-xw5hm]

AM I THE ONLY "FAN" WHO ACTUALLY BELIEVES THAT DONNA SUMMER AND RICK JAMES COULD ACTUALLY BE "CLOSELY RELATED?" MAYBE SIBLINGS?🙄😳 VERY CLOSE COUSINS?!

[@gloriavalentine-zo5mp]

Basically, to me this is click bait 🪤. Same info, nothing new or different -- everyone knows about 9/11 smoke - debri affecting her lungs. While watching this, l could've had a V-8. 🥤or 🍹

[@deswalker6581]

She left fame to find poverty!😪

[@lalalee9732]

Where do lgbt saying comes from who came up with it

[@bobzthecat82]

click bait heading

[@handlehidden-f2j]

She did make disparaging comments about aids and the gay community, they were not allegations.

[@AndyLeos-j2l]

Your reflection on Donna Summer's life fell short. What you didn't mention was the incredible musical experience that Donna Summer was. What I recall was her overnight success and the admiration of Gay fans from around the world who never stopped loving her. Because you were too young to be around during her reign as Disco Queen, you missed talking about Ms. Summer's incredible ability to perform to adoring fans and sold out audiences around the world. To say the least, Donna Summer's sold out concerts were incredible and mesmerizing.

[@johnhattersley2138]

Robotic waffle...😮👎

[@cecilanderson2930]

After disco she went down she could only sing disco

[@MusicmanDavid]

WRONG. Unconditional Love, This time I know it's for real, State of Independence, She works hard for the money and several other hits she had after Disco. Maybe you were under a rock somewhere.😕

[@Darrigrande]

She had a very versatile voice. She could sing even opera, because her voice had a range an power that was simply incredible.

[@phillycheez6288]

​@MusicmanDavid ....amen 👏🏽👏🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽Mac Arthur's Park, Dim all the lights, Hot Stuff is a rock n Roll song to which she won a grammy...in fact all her grammys are in different genres/categories.. Donna could sing anything, including the phone book!!🤍🕊🥀RIH Queen of the voice. 🥲

[@laydown6]

😂😂😂wrong youre not a fan i think

[@Mysaviorlives-bh9or]

wanderer and finger on the trigger were big hits too​@@MusicmanDavid