R&B singer Betty Wright has passed away. She was 66 years old.
The star popularized the phrase "No pain, no gain." She was considered one of the most underrated singers of her time and was recently honored on TV One's "Unsung," TMZ reports.
Her niece confirmed her passing.
Last week, Wright's sister took to Twitter with a plea for prayers, tipping fans off that Wright was unwell.
"Calling all my #PrayerWarriors. My beloved sister, Betty Wright @MsBettyWright, is now in need of all your prays," she wrote. "In Jesus Name We Pray for Sister Betty."
Wright's biggest song ever, "Clean Up Woman," was released when she was just 18 years old. Other hits include "Let Me Be Your Lovermaker," "Shoorah Shoorah," "Tonight Is the Night," and "Where Is the Love.
Wright was an inspiration to singers like Mary J. Blige, The Roots, and Joss Stone. She even performed with Stone on the track "The Art of Love and War."
Wright is survived by 4 of her children. Her son, Patrick, was shot and killed in 2005.
A cause of death has not been revealed.
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