The Tragic Tale Of Donna Summer

Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in 1948, Donna Summer went on to become the face of dance music in the 1970s — and one of the most influential artists of her era. Sadly, though, her road to fame was anything but easy. This is the tragic tale of Donna Summer.

In her memoir, Ordinary Girl, Donna Summer writes:

"I was always the type of person to dive into things, literally and figuratively, regardless of whether or not I fully knew what I was getting into."

This sentiment can be found throughout the many adventures Summer embarked on during her life. But it all started when she quite literally jumped into a pool and almost drowned — at the age of only 8. After struggling below the surface, her brothers and sisters pulled her out. She had no idea how long she was unconscious, but remembered when she came to that she believed God had saved her, and that he had a special life planned for her. With a new sense of purpose, Summer prayed:

"God, please teach me how to sing better."

But it took a while for Summer to find her confidence. At age 7, she accidentally cut a large gash in her cheek on a kitchen chair her father was repairing, leaving a scar that, for the entirety of her childhood, made her feel ugly and insecure. She wore wigs to try to hide it, and for years, was teased by her siblings and neighbors. A bout of childhood depression ensued, and Summer saw a therapist until she was 16 years old. While the singer later lamented this time in her life, she also claimed it helped her to develop a sense of humor — as well as an overwhelming desire to prove herself.

Watch the video for more on the tragic tale of Donna Summer.

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Young struggles | 0:00
Love in Europe | 1:39
Pregnancy | 3:05
The divorce | 3:50
Bruce Sudano | 4:48
Love to Love You Baby | 6:11
Her darkest days | 7:33
Acting up | 8:55
The death of Donna Summer | 10:02

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