'It's My Party' singer Lesley Gore passes away

Lesley Gore, the singer who made her debut with pop hit 'It's My Party' at the age of 16, has died. She was 68.

It is believed that the singer, who had followed her 1963 hit with several hit songs, including 'Judy's Turn to Cry,' 'You Don't Own Me,' 'Maybe I Know,' 'She's a Fool' and 'Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows,' died of lung cancer in a New York hospital, TMZ.com reported.

Gore had also been the composer for the 1980 movie 'Fame', and was even nominated for an Oscar for one of the songs, 'Out Here on My Own.'

Gore, who had also used her song, 'You Don't Own Me,' as an anthem for reproductive rights during the 2012 Presidential election, was openly gay and leaves behind her partner, Lois Sasson.