Donna Summer ,who lived in lower Manhattan during 9/11, blames the attacks on the World Trade Center for the lung cancer that led to her death.

Donna Summer
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Donna Summer(Ethan Miller/Getty Images))

TMZ reports the singer, who died yesterday at the age of 63, was “paranoid” about  breathing in the toxic fumes created by the collapse of towers. Friend Deney Terrio, the former host of TV’s Dance Fever, says she would hang silk curtains in her apartment windows to keep dust out.

Another friend says she would constantly spray some sort of disinfectant in the air.

Summer’s religious beliefs also played a part in her concerns. Described by TMZ as a “a fervent practicing Christian,”  she believed the the 9/11 attacks  were also aimed at Christianity and believers such as herself. 9/11 was an attack on Christianity and in some metaphysical way Christians like her were targets. She somehow felt that her illness was a byproduct of the attack.

Friends tried to persuade her that her smoking was to blame for her developing lung cancer but she did not believe it.

Mourning The Queen Of Disco

Donna Summer remembered on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame
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Luminaries from Aretha Franklin to Dolly Parton and Barbra Streisand mourned the loss, as did President Barack Obama, who said he and Michelle were saddened to hear of the passing of the five-time Grammy winner. “Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna’s family and her dedicated fans.”

Producer Nile Rogers was deeply saddened by Summer’s death.  “For the last half hour or so I’ve been lying in my bed crying and stunned,” Chic hitmaker Nile Rodgers wrote according to Billboard. “Donna Summer RIP.” KC and the Sunshine Band wrote on Facebook, “You will Be Missed… Our prayers and condolences go out to her family… Lala.”


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