Italian singer, actress and presenter Raffaella Cara passed away on Monday at the age of 78, due to a long-term illness.

“Rafaella left us. She has gone to a better world, where her humanity, her clear laugh and her exceptional talent will remain forever,” confirmed Sergio Gabbino, the artist’s longtime partner, in an official statement accessed by the Italian agency ANSA.

In this statement, the comrade said that “disease attacked his body for some time, very small but full of excess energy”, highlighting the “unstoppable strength” that Raffaella Cara had throughout his life.

The artist gained huge popularity during the 1970s and 1980s in Latin America and Spain, through hit songs such as Hay que venir al sur, Caliente, Caliente, En el amor todo es empezar and also from her journey on television, where she became famous for her provocative outfits.

Raffaella Carrà has produced 25 record albums and sold over 60 million records.

In 2016, the artist decided to leave the stage, but continued to produce some TV shows.