Donna Summer was the ultimate disco queen, right? She lit up dance floors like no other and had a voice that could melt butter on a hot skillet. But y’all, there was so much more beneath all that glitter and glam. The woman had a life offstage—a real, messy, loving family life.
And that’s where the Donna Summer children come in. I’m talking about the trio who grew up with a legend for a mom and somehow managed not to turn into disco zombies or music-obsessed divas (well, mostly).
The Disco Diva’s Home Life: More Than Sequins and Spotlights
Donna Summer wasn’t just a name on a marquee or a voice on the radio. She was a mom who fiercely guarded her kids’ privacy. Honestly, I sometimes wonder if she was better at dodging paparazzi than at disco dancing (which is saying something).
Quick Flashback: Donna’s Love Story
So, here’s the deal — Donna married twice. First, there was Helmuth Sommer, some Austrian actor dude. Then came Bruce Sudano, a singer-songwriter and fellow music soul. Between these two marriages, Donna’s children entered the scene.
Their names? Mimi, Brooklyn, and Amanda. And I gotta say, each one has their own vibe, which I find wicked interesting.
Mimi Sommer: The Eldest and the Quiet One
Mimi is the oldest of the Donna Summer children — born Natalia Pia Melanie Sommer in ’73. I imagine growing up with Donna as your mom was probably like living inside a glitter cannon: bright, loud, and a little overwhelming.
But Mimi? She’s the chill one.
- Married a guy named Rick Dohler (solid name, right?)
- Has two daughters and keeps things pretty low-key
- Occasionally steps up to honor her mom’s legacy with tribute gigs
I picture her backstage, nodding along, thinking, “Okay, let’s do mom proud… but don’t make a scene.”
Mimi’s Life Today
Last I heard, Mimi’s settled down somewhere peaceful, away from the Hollywood chaos. She shows up at big events for Donna’s tributes, which kinda warms my heart. Because you know, keeping the family tight matters more than the flashing cameras.
Brooklyn Sudano: Hollywood’s Next Generation
Alright, now Brooklyn. She’s one of the more visible Donna Summer children and definitely didn’t inherit her mom’s stage fright. Nope.
Born in 1981 to Donna and Bruce, Brooklyn is carving her own path in Hollywood.
- Played roles on TV shows like My Wife and Kids and Taken (ever binge those?)
- Starred recently on Hulu’s Cruel Summer (which, btw, is addictive)
- Has done singing here and there, but mostly an actress
You gotta admire her hustle. Growing up with a mom who owned the disco scene probably made Brooklyn realize you gotta work double-time to make your own name.
Brooklyn’s Family Life: The Real Deal
Married Mike McGlaflin in ’06, they have one kiddo. She balances mom duties with acting gigs, and honestly, that’s no small feat. I barely manage to keep a houseplant alive while juggling emails. (True story: Their/there mix-ups? Guilty as charged.)
Amanda Sudano: The Music Heir Apparent
Amanda’s the baby of the Donna Summer children, born in 1982, and she took after the music gene big time.
She’s half of the indie duo Johnnyswim with her husband, Abner Ramirez.
- Their albums Diamonds and Georgica Pond are full of smooth, heartfelt vibes
- They tour together, kid crew in tow
- Amanda credits Donna as her biggest inspiration — and who wouldn’t?
Fun fact: I once overheard a barista talking about how Johnnyswim’s songs got them through a hellish Monday. The power of legacy, y’all.
Life on the Road and Raising Kids
Amanda and Abner are raising three kids while hopping from gig to gig. I can barely manage one toddler at the grocery store without breaking a sweat. Amanda makes it look effortless. But hey, I haven’t Googled how many diapers equal a Grammy (yet).
Donna Summer: The Mom Behind the Microphone
People often forget that Donna Summer wasn’t just “the disco queen.” She was a mom with all the usual parenting wins and flubs.
- She was fiercely protective of her girls
- Encouraged creativity but didn’t push too hard
- Made family a priority, even on crazy tour days
I love this quote from Amanda: “Mom sang us lullabies before her big shows.” Imagine that—Queen of Disco whispering soft tunes backstage. The image totally cracks me up.
Parenting Style: More Real Than You Think
Donna was big on faith and family values, which I think helped her kids stay grounded. And trust me, growing up with a mega-star mom can go sideways fast (see: every celebrity kid scandal ever).
Anyway, Mimi, Brooklyn, and Amanda all speak warmly of Donna’s ability to keep life real—even when the glitter was flying.
Legacy Lives On: What the Donna Summer Children Are Doing Now
So, what’s the 411 on the Donna Summer children today?
| Name | What They’re Up To |
| Mimi | Private life, tribute events |
| Brooklyn | Acting in TV and movies |
| Amanda | Touring with Johnnyswim, raising family |
Each one is walking a unique path but still carries a piece of Donna’s spirit.
The Intangible Stuff: Memories and Moments
Here’s where it gets personal.
Amanda remembers her mom singing Christmas carols to the family—even when she was dead tired. Brooklyn talks about road trips with Donna where the whole car would be belting out tunes (off-key, of course).
Mimi? She recalls her mom’s laughter being the best medicine after a tough day.
I’m telling y’all, these memories make the Donna Summer children real, relatable people—not just names in a biography.
Public Tributes and Honors
The Donna Summer children have appeared at some major moments:
- Donna’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2013
- VH1’s Behind the Music episode about their mom
- Johnnyswim’s musical tributes in concerts
Every time, you can see how much they cherish her legacy.
What We Can Learn From Donna’s Kids
Here’s what I’ve picked up:
- Hard work is non-negotiable.
- Stay humble, no matter the spotlight.
- Keep family close.
Funny thing? I learned the hard way that you can’t just “wing it” in life. I’m still trying to figure out whether it’s nitrogen-rich soil or potassium you need more of—wait, no, I’ll Google it again…
A Couple of Fun (and Slightly Weird) Tidbits
- Amanda sang a duet with Donna as a kid during a Christmas special.
- Brooklyn once learned makeup backstage from Donna’s crew—guess who got the smokey eye right? Not me.
- Mimi inspired some of Donna’s love songs.
Also, random but true: The cracked watering can from Pete’s Hardware on 5th Ave somehow survived Mimi’s overwatering phase. (I swear, it has more lives than a cat.)
Wrapping This Up (Sorta)
Anyway, here’s the kicker—Donna Summer children aren’t just names on a Wikipedia page. They’re real people, with real lives, and real hearts. Each one carries a bit of Donna’s magic forward in their own way.
I mean, if anyone could survive having a disco queen for a mom and still make a life that’s their own? It’s these three.