Singer Helen Reddy, author of feminist anthem 'I Am Woman', dies

Helen Reddy, pictured October 27, 1977.ILR / AP

Singer Helen Reddy, whose 1972 song

became a global feminist anthem, passed away Tuesday in Los Angeles at age 78, her family confirmed.

"Our heart is broken.

But it is comforting to know that her voice will live forever, "they wrote on the artist's official Facebook page.

Born in Australia, Reddy moved to the United States in her early 20s after winning a talent show.

Initially, she achieved some success with the song

, in 1971. Her song

reached number 1 on the sales chart in 1972, leading her to be known throughout the world and Reddy He continued it with a series of hits such as

or

She even hosted her own television show,

, and appeared in the occasional Hollywood movie.

In 1973 and 1974, Reddy was the world's best-selling female performer.

Some US media defined her as "the queen of pop of the seventies."

In the eighties, her career began to lose steam, until she officially retired in 2002. In 2015 she was diagnosed with dementia.

Her story stars in the cinematographic biopic

director Unjoo Moon's debut feature, which will premiere on November 6 in Spanish cinemas.