The Grammy-winning singer was known for classics such as “Tonight Is the Night,” “No Pain, (No Gain)” and “Clean Up Woman.”
Wright died at her home in Miami.
Her death was confirmed by Steve Greenberg of S-Curve Records, who said Ms. Wright had been diagnosed with cancer in the fall and underwent chemotherapy.
“She was an incredible writer, producer, and mentor to young artists,” Mr. Greenberg said. “It’s an incredible loss.”
Wright’s niece also confirmed her aunt’s passing this morning on Twitter.
“I just lost my aunt this morning…. and now my mood has changed…. sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright fly high angel,” she wrote.
See tweets below:
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#BELLA@iBellaNIEMAI just lost my aunt this morning…. and now my mood has changed…. sleep in peace aunty Betty Wright
fly high angel
Born Bessie Regina Norris, Wright adopted her stage name when she was just a kid. With her siblings, she began singing in a gospel group, called the Echoes of Joy, at just two years old. They released an album in 1956, when she was three.
Wright’s breakthrough came with her single “Clean Up Woman” from her second album, “I Love the Way You Love,” released in 1971. The song reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, sold more than a million copies and came in as the No. 49 song of 1972, according to Billboard.
