An opera singer who performed around the world after two double lung transplants has died aged 35.
Charity "Sunshine" Tillemann-Dick forged a renowned career as a venerated soprano.
Her debut album, American Grace, reached no 1 on Billboard's traditional classical charts.
A post by her family on Facebook announced her death.
It read: "This morning, life's curtain closed on one of its consummate heroines.
"Our beloved Charity passed peacefully with her husband, mother, and siblings at her side and sunshine on her face."
The cause of death has not yet been made public.
Charity was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension when she was 20 and had said one of her doctors told her she should stop singing for her condition.
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But undeterred she wowed audiences across the world with incredible performances.
In 2009, Charity had her first double lung transplant.
However, she later suffered a chronic rejection of the donor organ, causing her to undergo another double lung transplant in 2012.
Charity, who lived in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, was given five years to live after the surgery.
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Speaking in 2011 after a performance at Lincoln Center, Washington, Charity said: "I knew that death was imminent, but I was able to live this dream.
"A million and one miracles had paved the path."
Friends, some of whom are stars themselves, shared their grief online.
"RIP to my inspiring & incomparable friend. She shared her voice & lessons in life," wrote scientist Daniel Kraft.
"What a shame: I’d watched in awe as Charity Tillemann-Dick not only survived TWO lung transplants but built a stellar opera career. She has died aged 35. But my goodness, she made use of those extra years. RIP to a warrior woman," tweeted author and historian Dr Louise Raw.
