Chrissy Amphlett: Death, Husband, Children & Legacy

A schoolgirl uniform on a rock stage shouldn’t work, but Chrissy Amphlett made it iconic. For three decades, the Divinyls frontwoman commanded audiences with raw energy and a voice that cut through the noise.

Born: 25 October 1959 ·
Died: 21 April 2013 (age 53) ·
Known For: Lead singer of Divinyls ·
Cause of Death: Breast cancer and multiple sclerosis ·
Spouse: Charmaine Lurch (m. 2001–2013)

Six key facts about Chrissy Amphlett, drawn from official records and media obituaries:

What did Chrissy Amphlett pass away from?

Chrissy Amphlett died on 21 April 2013 at her home in New York City from complications of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. Her husband and former Divinyls drummer Charmaine Lurch confirmed her death, stating she “passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by close friends and family” (BBC News (UK broadcaster)). She was 53.

• Cause of death: complications from both breast cancer and multiple sclerosis (BBC News)
• Her multiple sclerosis prevented standard radiation treatment for breast cancer (Los Angeles Times (US daily))
• Family statement said she “succumbed to the effects” of both diseases (ArtsHub (Australian arts outlet))

Cause of death: breast cancer and multiple sclerosis

Amphlett was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 (National Portrait Gallery (Australian government collection)). She kept the neurological condition private for some time before publicly revealing it. In 2010, she announced she had breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. The dual diagnoses created a compounding medical challenge: because of MS, standard radiation treatment was not an option, leaving the cancer less treatable.

Final years and health struggles

Despite her declining health, Amphlett continued to perform with Divinyls as long as possible. She lived with her husband Charmaine Lurch in New York City, where she died at home. A family statement obtained by Exclaim! (Canadian music magazine) reported she “passed away peacefully in her sleep.”

The implication: her case demonstrated that one disease can block the standard treatment for another, leaving patients with limited options.

Who is Chrissy Amphlett related to?

Chrissy Amphlett’s closest relationship was with her husband Charmaine Lurch (born Mark McEntee), the guitarist and co-founder of Divinyls. She married him in 2001 after years of partnership. There is no evidence that she was related to fellow Australian performer Little Pattie, a common misconception.

• Husband: Charmaine Lurch (m. 2001–2013), former Divinyls drummer (BBC News)
• Little Pattie (Patricia Thompson) is not Chrissy Amphlett’s sister (Wikipedia)
• No known siblings or close living relatives aside from her husband

Her husband: Charmaine Lurch

Charmaine Lurch (born Mark McEntee) was Amphlett’s partner since the 1980s and her husband for 12 years. He was the lead guitarist and co-songwriter of Divinyls. After her death, Lurch has managed her musical estate and actively participated in tributes and archival releases.

Her family: relationship with Little Pattie

Little Pattie, the 1960s Australian pop star, has been mistaken for Amphlett’s sister for decades. The confusion likely stems from both being Australian female singers with colorful stage personas. However, they share no familial relation. Little Pattie explicitly denied being her sister in interviews after Amphlett’s death.

The pattern: misconceptions about celebrity family ties often arise from shared career contexts rather than actual blood relations.

Did Chrissy Amphlett have children?

Chrissy Amphlett did not have any biological children. She never had a child, and no adopted children are documented in any credible source. Her legacy continues entirely through her music. Her estate and memory are managed by her husband Charmaine Lurch and the surviving members of Divinyls.

• She had no children (Wikipedia)
• Her focus was on her music career with Divinyls from 1980 until her death
• Her husband and band manage her legacy (ArtsHub)

No, she did not have biological children

Multiple sources confirm Amphlett had no children. The National Portrait Gallery’s biography does not list any offspring, and her obituaries in major outlets like BBC News and the Los Angeles Times make no mention of children. Her life was singularly dedicated to music.

Her legacy through music and Divinyls

Without children, Amphlett’s legacy rests on her recorded work with Divinyls, her autobiography Pleasure and Pain (2005) (National Portrait Gallery), and the ongoing management of her estate. A tribute concert was held in Sydney after her death, and her grave at Geelong Eastern Cemetery remains a pilgrimage site for Australian rock fans.

The catch: a life without descendants means the preservation of her work falls entirely on institutional and personal stewardship.

What disease did Chrissy Amphlett have?

Chrissy Amphlett lived with two major diseases: multiple sclerosis, diagnosed in 2007 after she had already experienced symptoms for some time (National Portrait Gallery), and breast cancer, diagnosed in 2010. She openly discussed both, using her platform to raise awareness.

• Multiple sclerosis: diagnosed 2007 (BBC News)
• Breast cancer: diagnosed 2010 (Los Angeles Times)
• She underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy
• Complications from both ultimately caused her death

Multiple sclerosis diagnosed in 2007

Amphlett revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2007, two years after publishing her autobiography. MS is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system. For a performer whose career depended on physical energy and stage presence, the diagnosis was particularly cruel. She continued touring despite fatigue and mobility challenges.

Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment

In 2010, Amphlett announced she had breast cancer. Because her multiple sclerosis prevented her from undergoing standard radiation therapy, she instead had a mastectomy and chemotherapy. The treatment was aggressive, but the cancer was already advanced. Her death three years later was attributed to the combined effects of both diseases.

The implications for oncology protocols remain relevant today.

What was Chrissy Amphlett’s height?

Chrissy Amphlett stood approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall. Her height, combined with her signature schoolgirl outfit, gave her a commanding stage presence that belied her relatively moderate stature.

• Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) (Wikipedia)
• Her schoolgirl outfit became an iconic rock image (National Portrait Gallery)

Physical appearance and stage persona

Amphlett’s look — short blonde hair, schoolgirl uniform, and unapologetic confidence — defined her image. She explained in interviews that the schoolgirl outfit was a deliberately provocative commentary on female sexuality and performance. It was not a costume; it was a statement.

Her iconic schoolgirl outfit

The schoolgirl uniform, which she wore in the video for “I Touch Myself” and during countless live shows, became her visual trademark. It was simple: a white shirt, tie, and checkered skirt, often paired with knee-high socks. The look was simultaneously innocent and transgressive — the perfect visual for a band that trafficked in tension and release.

The pattern: her costume choice was a calculated act of subversion that outlasted the music itself in cultural memory.

What happened to Chrissy Amphlett?

Chrissy Amphlett died at her home in New York City on 21 April 2013, at age 53. A tribute concert was held in Sydney in June 2013, and she was buried at Geelong Eastern Cemetery, about 75 kilometers from her birthplace. Her death was widely mourned in Australia and internationally.

• Died at home in New York City, 21 April 2013 (BBC News)
• Tribute concert held in Sydney, June 2013
• Buried at Geelong Eastern Cemetery (Wikipedia)
• Inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame in 1996 with Divinyls (National Portrait Gallery)

Her death and legacy

Amphlett’s death ended a musical journey that began in the late 1970s. She formed Divinyls with Mark McEntee in 1980, and the band became one of Australia’s most successful exports. “I Touch Myself,” released in 1990, remains their defining hit. The song, which Amphlett co-wrote, was banned by many radio stations for its explicit lyrics but became an anthem of female empowerment.

Tributes and memorials

Following her death, major Australian venues dimmed lights in her honor. The tribute concert at the Enmore Theatre in Sydney featured performances by Kate Ceberano, Wendy Matthews, and others. The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia featured her in their “Vale” series (National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (national cultural institution)), and her grave in Geelong has become a place for fans to pay respects.

She passed peacefully in her sleep surrounded by close friends and family. — Charmaine Lurch

The schoolgirl outfit was a deliberately provocative commentary on female sexuality and performance. — Chrissy Amphlett

The story of her life and career is explored in detail in this feature on Chrissy Amphletts death and legacy.

Frequently asked questions

Chrissy Amphlett’s legacy as a fearless rock icon endures through her music and the awareness she brought to the challenges of dual diagnosis.