Australian rock legend Chrissy Amphlett, best known as the singer of the Divinyls, has died in New York aged 53.

The charismatic frontwoman was surrounded by family and friends at her home when she died on Monday morning.

Her husband of 14 years, former Divinyls drummer Charley Drayton, says Amphlett died of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis.

In a statement released by ARIA, he added she had fought the diseases with "exceptional bravery and dignity".

"Chrissy's light burns so very brightly. Hers was a life of passion and creativity; she always lived it to the fullest," the statement said.

"With her force of character and vocal strength she paved the way for strong, sexy, outspoken women."

Christine Joy Amphlett was born in Geelong, Victoria, in 1959.

She gained fans for her energetic performances, complete with a signature outfit of a school uniform and fishnet stockings.

Amphlett revealed her fight against multiple sclerosis in 2007 and in 2010 announced she had breast cancer.

In March this year she shared an insight into her health troubles via her official Facebook page.

"Unfortunately the last 18 months have been a real challenge for me having breast cancer and MS and all the new places that will take you," she wrote.

"You become sadly a patient in a world of waiting rooms, waiting sometimes hours for a result or an appointment.

"You spend a lot time in cold machines... hospital beds, on your knees praying for miracles, operating rooms, tests after tests, looking at healthy people skip down the street like you once did and you took it all for granted and now wish you could do that.

"I have not stopped singing throughout all this in my dreams and to be once again performing and doing what I love to do."

'True pioneer'

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Amphlett formed the Divinyls with Jeremy Paul after meeting guitarist Mark McEntee at the Sydney Opera House in the early 1980s.

"She was courageous, she was original, she was a great poet. She had an incredible voice that was instantly recognisable, and she was, underneath all that, delicate," McEntee said.

Despite an ever-changing line-up, the band released six albums between 1982 and 1996.

The 1991 single I Touch Myself market the group's highest point.

The song reached number one on Australian charts and also found success in the US and UK.

"Everybody has always seen it in one way, but I see the beauty of this song," Amphlett said of the song while speaking to Enough Rope host Andrew Denton in 2006.

"It's about both of those sides, our higher self and our lower self and our sexuality and everything."

Drayton says Amphlett hoped the song would also inspire women to a more serious task.

"Chrissy expressed hope that her worldwide hit I Touch Myself would remind women to perform annual breast examinations," he said in a statement.

"Chrissy was a true pioneer and a treasure to all whose lives her music and spirit touched."

Former partner and guitarist McEntee says Amphlett was an exceptional talent.

"Chrissy had a lot of the gusto, and the raw, the raw talent, and the ability to come up with something original and different," he said.

The Divinyls, also known for Boys in Town, Pleasure and Pain and Science Fiction, were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006.

"It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of the beloved Chrissy Amphlett, a true pioneer and inspiration to a generation of Australian musicians and music fans," ARIA said in a statement.

The band split in 2007 after a short tour.

'Mighty singer'

Sorry, this video has expired From the vault: Chrissy Amphlett talks to the 7.30 Report in 2005

Andrew McManus managed the Divinyls for 11 years, and says Amplett had a dominating presence on stage.

"She was brilliant. As I said, she wasn't only a great singer, she was a great songwriter. I think people don't realise that," he said.

"On stage, people couldn't hold a candle to her. I remember when we did some of the big shows - festivals and what have you - no-one wanted to follow Chrissy Amphlett."

Along with singing, Amphlett acted for both the stage and screen and starred alongside Russell Crowe in the musical Blood Brothers in 1988.

Dear Chrissie, The last time I saw you was in the Botanic Gardens, loving life and reciting verse. That's how I'll remember you, your boy, R — Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) April 22, 2013

Midnight Oil frontman turned Labor politician Peter Garrett also paid tribute to Amphlett on Twitter.

Farewell to the finest of singers, great performer, a true star #chrissieamphlett — Peter Garrett AM MP (@PGarrettMP) April 22, 2013

Music journalist Glen A Baker told ABC News 24 it was hard to come to terms with the death of someone "so ferociously larger than life".

"Pop music had trained us to expect that women in rock were kind of like accessories - pretty things in short skirts and winsome smiles," he said.

"We didn't really expect to see anyone who came on like a cavewoman. She was such a mighty singer, but she was innately so rock 'n' roll.

"Which is not to say that she wasn't, when you were with her and knew her, a delight.

"She knew what she was doing and she played it like all rock performers would do, with a certain theatricity."

Baker said Amphlett would be remembered as an absolute original.

"She wasn't trying to be anyone else," he said.

"She was an innate, natural rock performer and she'll be remembered for being so brave."