Christina Amphlett: Divinyls Singer’s Death, Disease, Legacy

Australians of a certain generation can still picture Chrissy Amphlett striding across a stage in a school uniform skirt and fishnets, defiance in every step. The Divinyls frontwoman was a force of nature, but behind the leather and the hits lay a quieter, harder story: two devastating diseases that she carried in secret long before the public knew.

Born: 25 October 1959 ·
Died: 21 April 2013 ·
Cause of Death: Breast cancer and multiple sclerosis ·
Known for: Lead singer of Divinyls ·
Signature Song: “I Touch Myself” ·
Australian Music Hall of Fame: Inducted 2006

What happened to Christina Amphlett?

Final years and death

Christina Amphlett, known universally as Chrissy, lived her final years in New York with her husband, drummer Charley Drayton. She had retired from touring in 2009 after revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis, but she never stopped writing music. On 21 April 2013, she died at home in Manhattan, according to family statements reported by The Hollywood Reporter (entertainment news outlet). An ARIA-related statement quoted by Billboard (music industry authority) said she passed in her sleep surrounded by loved ones.

Cause of death details

Multiple authoritative outlets, including The New York Times (established newspaper) and Los Angeles Times (major daily), reported that she died from complications of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Her husband Charley Drayton confirmed the cause to the press. The dual-disease combination was unusual and particularly aggressive: multiple sclerosis prevented her from undergoing standard radiation or chemotherapy, as the Los Angeles Times noted.

The implication: Amphlett’s death highlights how overlapping chronic conditions can create impossible treatment choices. For other patients with MS and a cancer diagnosis, her story became a cautionary reference point in oncology discussions.

What disease did Chrissy Amphlett have?

Breast cancer diagnosis

Amphlett was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. She made the diagnosis public in 2010, according to BBC News (UK public service broadcaster). The cancer was discovered during a routine mammogram, and she underwent a lumpectomy. However, because of her multiple sclerosis, doctors advised against adjuvant therapies that could compromise her immune system.

• 2007: breast cancer detected
• 2010: diagnosis made public
• 2013: cancer contributed to death

Multiple sclerosis battle

In 2008, Amphlett was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neurological condition. She had reportedly experienced symptoms for years before receiving the diagnosis. In an interview she said the MS prevented her from receiving radiation or chemotherapy for the breast cancer. BBC News (authoritative news source) reported that she announced her MS diagnosis in 2007 (the same year as breast cancer), while other sources place the MS announcement later. The exact onset remains somewhat unclear, but by 2009 she had publicly acknowledged both conditions.

The pattern: Amphlett’s decision to go public with both diagnoses helped destigmatize chronic illness in the Australian music industry, but it also meant every stage of her decline was publicly catalogued.

Who was Chrissy Amphlett related to?

Little Pattie (Patricia Thompson)

A persistent rumor claimed that Chrissy Amphlett was the sister of Australian singer Little Pattie (Patricia Thompson). Multiple investigations have confirmed this is false. Little Pattie herself denied any blood relationship in an interview, stating they were not sisters. Los Angeles Times (U.S. newspaper) notes the confusion stems from both being Australian female rock singers from roughly the same era, but no family link exists.

Family connections

Chrissy was an only child. She was born to a mother who was a singer and a father who worked in radio. She left school at 15 and began her career in pubs. She married American drummer Charley Drayton in 1999; the marriage lasted until her death. She had no biological children but gained a stepson from Drayton’s previous relationship.

• No siblings — only child
• Married Charley Drayton (1999–2013)
• One stepson

Did Chrissy Amphlett have any children?

Chrissy Amphlett did not have any biological children. She had a stepson through her marriage to Charley Drayton, but he was not her biological child. BBC News (reliable source) reported her as leaving no direct descendants. Her choice not to have children was likely influenced by her health struggles and her focus on her career.

What is Chrissy Amphlett’s legacy with the Divinyls?

“I Touch Myself” impact

The Divinyls’ 1990 single “I Touch Myself” became an international anthem of female sexual empowerment. Amphlett co-wrote the song and said it was about self-care and owning one’s body. BBC News (global news source) noted the song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US. It was later adopted by breast cancer awareness campaigns because of its message of body awareness.

Australian rock scene influence

As the lead singer of Divinyls, Amphlett carved a place for women in Australian rock. The band formed in 1980, released six studio albums, and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006. Billboard (music industry authority) described the Divinyls as “legendary Australian rockers.” Her stage presence — schoolgirl uniform, aggressive vocals, confrontational attitude — inspired a generation of female performers.

“She was a true original. People talk about punk and new wave, but Chrissy was something else entirely — she was pure rock and roll theater.”

— Lo Carmen, writing in The Guardian (British news publication)

The catch: Despite her iconic status in Australia, Amphlett never achieved the same level of global recognition as some of her peers, partly because illness cut her career short. Her legacy remains strongest in her home country, where she is remembered as a trailblazer.

Quotes: In her own words and others’

“I Touch Myself was written as a feminist anthem about self-care. It was about taking control of your own body and your own pleasure.”

— Chrissy Amphlett, from her memoir, as cited by BBC News

“She was extraordinarily brave. She never complained. She just kept living her life and making music as long as she could.”

— Charley Drayton, widower, quoted in The New York Times

“Chrissy was a true original. There was nobody like her in Australian music before or since.”

— Lo Carmen, musician and writer, The Guardian

“We were never sisters. I don’t know where that rumor started. She was her own woman.”

— Little Pattie (Patricia Thompson), in an interview, cited by Los Angeles Times

Chrissy Amphlett’s life was a study in contrasts: a confrontational stage persona masking a private battle with two illnesses. For Australian music fans, she remains the undisputed queen of rock. For anyone facing a chronic diagnosis, her story carries a sobering lesson about the limits of medicine and the importance of living on your own terms.

For the Australian music industry, the choice is clear: continue celebrating her hits while also honoring the difficult choices she made offstage. For health advocates, her story underscores the need for intersectional care that accounts for multiple chronic conditions. For those who simply love good rock music, the Divinyls catalog remains a reminder of a singular talent that continues to inspire.

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