"I Touch Myself" singer Chrissy Amphlett has died. The lead singer of the Australian rock band Divinyls has succumbed to breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. She was 53.

She died in her home in New York City on Sunday. Her family released a statement, saying:

"Our beloved Chrissy peacy made her transition this morning. Christine Joy Amphlett succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis, diseases she vigorously fought with exceptional bravery and dignity. She passed gently, in her sleep, surrounded by close friends and family, including husband of fourteen years, musician Charley Drayton; her sister, Leigh; nephew, Matt; and cousin Patricia Amphlett ('Little Pattie').

"Chrissy's light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity. She always lived it to the fullest. With her force of character and vocal strength, she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women."

A trailblazer in the industry, Amphlett started Divinyls with guitarist Mark McEntee and bass guitarist Jeremy Paul in the early '80s. Their first hit "Boys in Town" allowed the band to continue their success.

She is best remembered internationally as the sultry singer of the ARIA Hall of Fame inductee band's single "I Touch Myself." The controversial song became their only No. 1 single in Australia, reaching No. 4 in the U.S. and 10 in the UK. Just last month, she was voted the 9th best Australian singer of all time in a News Limited survey.

Her brass, overtly sexual image on stage and during interviews was a stark contrast to the role she played on the stage production of "The Boy from Oz.," in which she played the actress Judy Garland. The jukebox musical premiered at Her Majesty's Theater in 1998, and ran for a total of 766 performances in two years. She reprised her role in the stage return of the musical in 2006.

She revealed that she had MS in 2007, and announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. She remained in New York with her husband.

"My illnesses have really exhausted this little body of mine that I have thrown from one end of a stage to another and performed thousands of shows that's sadly some of you missed. With that said I am getting stronger and there is still some fine tuning and work to be done on myself. It's a different self but my voice is strong and not affected by the MS as some reviewers have cruelly reported," she wrote on her Facebook page in March of last year.

"I look after myself and my husband has been through this with me every part of the way and I cannot imagine what I would have done without him and his kindness. I did something right."

Drayton was due to support Aerosmith in Australia, but cancelled the trip to be with his wife, news.com.au reported.

Tributes have poured in from her fans and peers.

Actor Russell Crowe tweeted, "Dear Chrissie, the last time I saw you was in the Botanic Gardens, loving life and reciting verse. That's how I'll remember you, your boy, R." He played his son in the Australian musical stage production of "Blood Brothers" in 1988.

"Much Love, Respect&Wishes for Chrissy Amphlett," Benji Madden wrote. "Sending my Heart out to your friends&Family. A very beautiful soul. Rest in Peace."

Amphlett hopes that "I Touch Myself" would be "utilized to remind all women to perform annual breast examinations," her family statement reads.