Tributes have poured in for singer Helen Reddy, who has sadly passed away aged 78.
Helen, who was best known for the feminist anthem I Am Woman, died in Los Angeles on Tuesday – according to a statement from her family.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother,” her children Traci and Jordan said.
“She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a truly formidable woman. Our hearts are broken. But we take comfort in the knowledge that her voice will live on forever.”
Helen’s ex-husband and former manager Jeff Wald said: “I am v sad to announce that my first wife of 18 years and the mother of my two oldest Traci & Jordan [has died].
“Traci spent the morning with Helen and she passed soon after under the excellent care of the Motion & Television Home.”
Helen was the first Australian-born artist to win a Grammy and the first to make the Billboard 100 record charts.
She won the Grammy Award for best female pop vocal performance for the 1971 hit track I Am Woman, which sold more than 25 million copies in the US alone.
Paying tribute to the star, Halloween actress Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “Honor of my life. Introducing Helen at the Women’s March, January 2017! THANK YOU Helen. RIP Read the lyrics. Song she wrote and performed to great acclaim. HELEN REDDY “I AM WOMAN” Women’s March LA 2017.”
Former Prime Minister of Australia Julia Gillard tweeted: “We have lost a global feminist icon in Helen Reddy. For decades her song ‘I am Woman’ has given full-throated voice to our fight for gender equality.
“Every word still relevant, no message dated, including we have ‘a long, long way to go’. Her legacy will endure. Hear us roar,” she added.
Honor of my life. Introducing Helen at the Women’s March, January 2017! THANK YOU Helen. RIP
Read the lyrics. Song she wrote and performed to great acclaim. HELEN REDDY "I AM WOMAN" Women's March LA 2017 https://t.co/13eRaYvJ5i via @YouTube— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) September 30, 2020
I am v sad to announce that my first wife of 18 years and the mother of my two oldest Traci & Jordan.Traci spent the morning with Helen and she passed soon after under the excellent care of the Motion & Television Home.#Helen Reddy
— Jeff S Wald (@JeffWald) September 30, 2020
Helen Reddy, Singer Behind ‘I Am Woman,’ Dies at 78 – The New York Times https://t.co/9bO4XXt6Ax
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) September 30, 2020
We have lost a global feminist icon in Helen Reddy. For decades her song ‘I am Woman’ has given full-throated voice to our fight for gender equality. Every word still relevant, no message dated, including we have ‘a long, long way to go’. Her legacy will endure. Hear us roar.
— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) September 30, 2020
Aw, Helen Reddy passed away. We used to sing “Delta Dawn” walking home from school. And we tried to emulate her insouciance & swagger. Which was hard cuz we were only kids & didn’t really understand the song. But that didn’t matter. We just loved her & wanted to be cool like her. pic.twitter.com/3S4AMCk0io
— Jennifer Tilly (@JenniferTilly) September 30, 2020
So sad to hear of the passing of Helen Reddy at age 78. Wonderful singer, actress and pop icon. pic.twitter.com/2PhoCGTQ7D
— Mike Mooneyham (@ByMikeMooneyham) September 30, 2020