AceShowbiz - Italian singer, actress, and TV personality Raffaella Carra has died at the age of 78. The star, who became a pop icon in her homeland, passed away on Monday, July 5 after suffering from an unspecified illness, according to her longtime partner, choreographer Sergio Japino.

In a statement, he wrote, "Raffaella has left us. She has gone to a better world, where her humanity, her unmistakable laugh and her extraordinary talent will shine forever."

Carra enjoyed a 60-year career, starting out as a child actress, and starring alongside Frank Sinatra in 1965 World War II drama "Von Ryan's Express".

She soon became known as a singer and dancer, serving as the co-host of Italian variety show "Canzonissima", on which she would showcase her music throughout the 1970s.

However, she caused uproar while performing her song "Ma Che Musica Maestro", during which she wore a risque outfit baring her midriff - marking the first such exposure on national TV, and leading to heavy criticism from religious leaders at the Vatican, which only caused ratings to soar.

Her hit songs included "Tuca Tuca, Tanti Auguri (Best Wishes)", and the 1978 female empowerment single "A far l'amore comincia tu (Be the One Initiating Sex)", which was released as "Do It, Do It Again" in the U.K., where it cracked the top 10.

Raffaella also worked on a remix with Bob Sinclar in 2011, with the revamp featuring on the soundtrack to director Paolo Sorrentino's critically-acclaimed movie, "The Great Beauty".

Carra released her 25th and final studio album, "Ogni volta che e Natale", in 2018.

Her other small screen appearances included weekend entertainment show "Dominica In", fronting her own variety shows, "La hora de Raffaella Carra" and "Hola Raffaella", for Spanish TV, and serving as a judge on the Italian version of "The Voice" from 2013 to 2016.