Pegi Young died at age 66.

Singer Pegi Young, ex-wife of Neil Young, died at age 66 after a year-long battle with cancer.

The American star, who was married to the Canadian rock icon until 2014, died on New Year's Day. A statement on Facebook confirmed the event.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm that on January 1st, after a year-long battle with cancer, Pegi Young – mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, musician, activist, and co-founder of the Bridge School – passed away surrounded by friends and family in California. We ask that the family's privacy be respected," the post said.

Pegi left behind Ben and Amber, two children she had with Young.

She married Neil in 1978 and spent decades as a backing vocalist on tours before releasing five country albums. The most recent of these was Raw, in 2017.

In 1980, she and Young founded the Bridge School, a non-profit organization that assists children with physical and speech disabilities. Cerebral palsy is also a condition that the school has been able to support since Ben was born with it.

READ ALSO: Neil Young creates new streaming platform for his fans

Categories: News