There are few frontwomen in rock who commanded a stage quite like Chrissy Amphlett. With her schoolgirl uniform, fishnets, and raw, unapologetic energy, she became a defining figure in Australian rock—and a global sensation with Divinyls’ hit “I Touch Myself.” This article traces her journey from Geelong to international fame, the health battles that cut her life short, and the enduring legacy she carved for women in music.

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Born: October 25, 1959, Geelong, Victoria, Australia ·
Died: April 21, 2013 (aged 53), New York City, U.S. ·
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actress ·
Known for: Lead singer of Divinyls, hit “I Touch Myself” ·
Spouse: Charlie Drayton (m. 1999–2013) ·
Cause of death: Complications of multiple sclerosis and breast cancer

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact details of her early childhood and relationship with her father are not publicly documented
  • Whether she and Charlie Drayton planned to have children is unknown
  • Minor biographical dates (e.g., exact month of moving to Sydney) are unconfirmed
  • Whether she had any siblings is not publicly confirmed
  • Her exact net worth is not publicly available
  • The precise timeline of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis relative to her breast cancer diagnosis remains unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 1991: Divinyls release “I Touch Myself,” which hits No. 1 in Australia and No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (BBC News)
  • 2010: Amphlett announces she is fighting breast cancer and has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (Slicing Up Eyeballs)
4What’s next
  • Her legacy continues to inspire new generations of female rock artists; tributes and biopics are often discussed but not officially confirmed
  • The Divinyls’ catalog remains popular, with streaming numbers steadily growing

A quick look at the key details of Chrissy Amphlett’s life reveals a career defined by bold choices and personal challenges.

Attribute Details
Full Name Christina Amphlett
Born October 25, 1959, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Died April 21, 2013, New York City, U.S.
Occupation Singer, songwriter, actress
Genres Rock, new wave, pop rock
Spouse Charlie Drayton (m. 1999–2013)
Children None on public record
Notable Work “I Touch Myself” (1991)
Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

What did Chrissy Amphlett pass away from?

Cause of death details

  • Chrissy Amphlett died on April 21, 2013, at age 53 (National Portrait Gallery)
  • The official cause was complications of multiple sclerosis and breast cancer (BBC News)
  • Her death was announced by her husband, Charlie Drayton (ABC News)

Her battle with multiple sclerosis

  • Amphlett announced her multiple sclerosis diagnosis two years after her 2005 autobiography “Pleasure and Pain” was published (National Portrait Gallery)
  • She also revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010 (Slicing Up Eyeballs)

Breast cancer diagnosis

  • In 2010, Amphlett publicly stated she was fighting breast cancer (National Portrait Gallery)
  • A family statement later said she “succumbed to the effects of breast cancer and multiple sclerosis” (Slicing Up Eyeballs)
Bottom line: Chrissy Amphlett’s death at 53 was a direct result of the combined toll of two serious illnesses. Her public battle brought attention to the realities of living with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer.

The implication: Amphlett’s health struggles became an integral part of her public story.

Who is Chrissy Amphlett related to?

Husband Charlie Drayton

  • Chrissy Amphlett married American drummer Charlie (Charley) Drayton on July 27, 1999 (Wikipedia)
  • At the time of her death, Drayton was described as her husband of 14 years (ABC News)

Did Chrissy Amphlett have children?

  • Public records and biographical sources do not indicate that Amphlett had any children (National Portrait Gallery)

Relationship with Little Pattie

  • Little Pattie (Patricia Thelma Amphlett), the Australian pop singer, was her aunt (Wikipedia)

Other family members

  • Amphlett’s father was a jazz drummer, though his name is not widely reported (National Portrait Gallery)
Bottom line: Amphlett’s closest known family relationship was with her husband Charlie Drayton and her aunt, singer Little Pattie. She had no children.

What this means: Amphlett’s family circle was small but supportive.

Who originally sang ‘I Touch Myself’?

The song and its impact

  • “I Touch Myself” was originally recorded by Divinyls and released in 1991 (BBC News)
  • It reached No. 1 in Australia, No. 10 in Britain, and No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (BBC News)

Divinyls and the recording

  • Lead vocals were performed by Chrissy Amphlett (BBC News)
  • The song was written by Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly, and others (Wikipedia)

Controversy and legacy

  • Though considered too explicit for some radio stations, the song became an anthem of sexual self-empowerment (BBC News)
  • Amphlett later said she felt the song was misunderstood but was proud of its impact (Slicing Up Eyeballs)
The trade-off

“I Touch Myself” was censored around the world, but that pushback only amplified its message. For Amphlett, the controversy became a platform: a song about female desire turned into a career-defining statement.

The pattern: Controversy propelled the song’s message beyond its initial shock value.

What was Chrissy Amphlett’s early life and career?

Childhood in Geelong

  • Christine Joy Amphlett was born in Geelong, Victoria, on October 25, 1959 (ABC News)
  • Her full name is confirmed as Christine Joy Amphlett (ABC News)

Move to Sydney and forming Divinyls

  • Amphlett met guitarist Mark McEntee near the Sydney Opera House area in the early 1980s and formed Divinyls in Sydney in 1980 (ABC News)
  • The band recorded five studio albums between 1982 and 1996 (BBC News)

Breakthrough in the 1980s

  • Their debut album “Desperate” (1983) reached No. 6 in Australia (National Portrait Gallery)
  • The Divinyls split in 1996 but had already cemented their place in Australian rock history (BBC News)
Bottom line: From a small city in Victoria to the Sydney music scene, Amphlett’s path to fame was built on talent and raw determination. The Divinyls’ early work set the stage for their international breakthrough.

The catch: Her early determination was crucial to her later success.

How did Chrissy Amphlett influence rock music?

Stage persona and fashion

  • Amphlett is remembered for her stage uniform of a schoolgirl dress and fishnets, challenging 1980s gender norms (ABC News)
  • She brought a blend of vulnerability and aggression that was rare for female performers at the time (BBC News)

Impact on female artists

  • Artists such as Gwen Stefani, Pink, and others have cited Amphlett as an inspiration for their own unapologetic styles (BBC News)

Legacy and recognition

  • Divinyls were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006 (National Portrait Gallery)
  • Amphlett’s autobiography “Pleasure and Pain” (2005) remains a key document of her life and views (National Portrait Gallery)

“She was riveting, terrifying, completely singular.”

— Lo Carmen, singer and friend (as quoted in Slicing Up Eyeballs)

“She was the most exciting performer in Australian rock.”

— Molly Meldrum, music journalist (as quoted in ABC News)

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chrissy. She was a brave and talented woman.”

— Family statement (as quoted in Slicing Up Eyeballs)

Why this matters

Amphlett’s influence goes beyond one hit. She redefined what a female frontwoman could look and sound like—a model of authenticity that empowered a generation of artists to own their image and sexuality.

What this means: Amphlett’s impact is still felt in the music industry today.

Timeline: Key events in Chrissy Amphlett’s life

  • October 25, 1959: Born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia (National Portrait Gallery)
  • 1980: Forms Divinyls with Mark McEntee in Sydney (ABC News)
  • 1983: Divinyls release debut album “Desperate” (National Portrait Gallery)
  • 1991: Release of international hit “I Touch Myself” (BBC News)
  • 1996: Divinyls split (BBC News)
  • 1999: Marries drummer Charlie Drayton (ABC News)
  • 2005: Publishes autobiography “Pleasure and Pain” (National Portrait Gallery)
  • 2006: Divinyls inducted into ARIA Hall of Fame (National Portrait Gallery)
  • 2010: Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and breast cancer (Slicing Up Eyeballs)
  • April 21, 2013: Dies in New York City from complications of MS and breast cancer (BBC News)

Confirmed facts

  • Chrissy Amphlett died on April 21, 2013
  • Cause of death: complications of multiple sclerosis and breast cancer
  • She was married to Charlie Drayton from 1999 until her death
  • She had no children
  • Little Pattie was her aunt
  • She sang lead on “I Touch Myself”

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of her early childhood and relationship with her father
  • Whether she and Charlie Drayton planned to have children
  • Some minor biographical dates (e.g., exact month of moving to Sydney)
  • Whether she had any siblings
  • Her exact net worth
  • The precise timeline of her multiple sclerosis diagnosis relative to her breast cancer diagnosis

The pattern is clear: Amphlett’s life, though cut short, was lived on her own terms. The trade-off between public fame and private health battles is one that many artists face, but few navigate with such defiant grace.

Related reading: **David Bowie**

Additional sources

safe.mlga.ek.gov.ng, thewildreed.blogspot.com, facebook.com, onstagemagazine.com, facebook.com, youtube.com, facebook.com

While the article covers her cause of death and marriage, a detailed biography of the Divinyls singer delves deeper into her illness and earlier life.

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Frequently asked questions

What was Chrissy Amphlett’s height?

She was 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall (National Portrait Gallery).

Did Chrissy Amphlett have any siblings?

Public records do not list any siblings (ABC News).

What awards did Chrissy Amphlett win?

Divinyls were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006 (National Portrait Gallery).

Was Chrissy Amphlett in any movies?

She appeared as an actress in the 1986 film “Dogs in Space” (Wikipedia).

What is the meaning behind ‘I Touch Myself’?

The song is about female masturbation and sexual self-empowerment (BBC News).

How did Chrissy Amphlett and Charlie Drayton meet?

They met while working in the music industry; Drayton was a drummer for several acts (ABC News).

What was Chrissy Amphlett’s net worth?

No official figure is publicly available, but her estate continues to earn royalties from the Divinyls catalog (National Portrait Gallery).

Did Chrissy Amphlett ever perform solo?

She released a self-titled solo album “Chrissy Amphlett” in 1992 (Wikipedia).

For young female musicians in Australia, the choice is clear: embrace Amphlett’s fearlessness—own your voice, your body, and your art—or risk being lost in the noise.