Pegi Young has died aged 66.
The singer-songwriter – who was married to Canadian music legend Neil Young until 2014 – tragically passed away on Tuesday (01.01.19) following a yearlong battle with cancer in "her native California surrounded by family and friends", according to a statement.
On the star’s Facebook page, a message posted on New Years Day read: "With great sadness, we confirm that on January 1st, after a yearlong battle with cancer, Pegi Young – mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, musician, activist and co-founder of the Bridge School – passed away surrounded by her friends and family in her native California.
"We request that the families’ privacy be respected at this time."
The ‘Love Like Water’ hitmaker married Neil in 1978 after the pair met when she was waitressing near his ranch in California, and in 2000, the star joined him on tour as a backup singer after her debut on ‘Philadelphia’ at the 1994 Academy Awards.
She later released five country albums of her own, with the most recent being ‘Raw’ in 2017.
Pegi is survived by her two children Ben, 41, and Amber, 35, and after so much difficulty in finding a school for their son – who has cerebral palsy – she and her husband co-founded the Bridge School in the 1980’s which is a non-profit organisation that aids children with physical and speech impairments.
The married pair held a star-studded show named the Bridge School Benefit Concert between 1986 and 2016 in California to raise funds and awareness, and previous performers include David Bowie, Arcade Fire, Bruce Springsteen, Jack White and The Who.
Pegi Young has died following yearlong cancer battle
