AceShowbiz - The former X-Ray Spex frontwoman and real name Marianne Elliott-Said, Poly Styrene opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year but sadly passed away on Monday.

A statement posted on her official Twitter feed reads, "We can confirm that the beautiful Poly Styrene, who has been a true fighter, won her battle on Monday evening to go to higher places."

The rocker formed her band after watching the Sex Pistols perform on her 18th birthday and X-Ray Spex gained a place in punk history with their album "Germ Free Adolescents" and hit track "Oh Bondage Up Yours!"

Following the release of her solo album "Translucence" in 1980, Poly Styrene stepped out of the spotlight to join the Hare Krishna movement, occasionally re-emerging onto the music scene. She released her third solo album, "Generation Indigo", last month.

Boy George has led the tributes to the star, writing on his Twitter.com page, "I was a fan of Poly before I got to know her, she was a Krishna follower too, oh bless you Polly you will be missed! Legend!"