Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, who became a worldwide singing sensation at the tender age of 16 with her 1963 hit song teen song, "It's My Party." She solidified her early success with such hits as "Judy's Turn to Cry," and the feminist song "You Don't Own Me," passed away Monday at the age of 68, New York Times reports.

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Gore succumbed to lung cancer at New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan, her partner for 33 years, Lois Sasson, divulged.

Sasson, who works as a jewelry designer, praised Gore for being a "wonderful human being." For her, she was "caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian."

Born in Brooklyn, Gore grew up in New Jersey before Quincy Jones discovered and signed her to Mercury Records while still a teen. She finished a degree in English and American literature at Sarah Lawrence College.

Gore's career was also marked by more hits, including "She's A Fool," ''Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows," ''That's the Way Boys Are" and "Maybe I Know."

Aside from her singing success, Gore also enjoyed a strong following on television, as the Catwoman's sidekick in the cult TV comedy Batman.

She also co-wrote for films, including "My Secret Love" for Allison Anders' 1996 film Grace of My Heart.

Before she died, Gore was working with Mark Hampton for a stage production about her life.

In 2005, she made her recording come back, releasing her first album in 53 years,  Ever Since.

Gore admitted her true sexuality while hosting the PBS series, In The Life, a show that tackles gay and lesbian issues.

A few years ago, she performed at Feinstein's at the Loews Regency in New York and, together with Ronnie Spector and LaLa Brooks, topbilling the "She's Got the Power" concert outdoors at Lincoln Center in 2012.

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