Donna Summer

Born LaDonna Adrian Gaines in Dorchester, Massachusetts, she became Donna Summer when she married the actor Helmuth Summer in 1974. They divorced two years later, but Donna kept the name.

She was married twice, first to Helmuth Summer from 1974-1976, then to Bruce Sudano of the group Brooklyn Dreams from 1980 until her death in 2012. She had a daughter, Mimi (b. 1973), with Sommer, and two more with Sudano: Brooklyn (b. 1981) and Amanda (b. 1982). Mimi was raised by Summer and Sudano; Brooklyn became a popular actress, starring in the ABC sitcom My Wife and Kids.

When she was 20 years old, she began to audition as a Broadway performer. Her first role was in the musical, Hair, that was performing in Germany. She also performed in Show Boat and Godspell while in Germany. Summer learned to speak German during her show tune days.