Minnie Riperton Legacy Fund at Concern Foundation

Minnie Riperton, was an American singer-songwriter best known for her 1975 #1 single "Lovin' You" from her 1974 gold album entitled Perfect Angel. She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph and they had two children: music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph. In January 1976, Minnie was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a radical mastectomy. By the time of diagnosis, the cancer had metastasized and she was given about six months to live. Despite the grim prognosis, she continued touring in 1977 and 1978, and she was one of the first celebrities to go public with her breast cancer diagnosis, but did not disclose she was terminally ill. On Thursday, July 12, 1979 at 10 am, while lying in her husband's arms, Minnie died while listening to a recording Stevie Wonder had made for her. She was only 31 years old.