The lead singer of The Seekers Judith Durham has passed away

Beloved Australian entertainer Judith Durham has passed away "peacefully," aged 79 following a long health battle.

The former lead singer of The Seekers, who garnered international fame for her immense talent, died in Melbourne on Friday evening in palliative care.

She had been admitted to Alfred Hospital and died as a result of complications from a longstanding chronic lung disease.

The singer, songwriter and musician formed The Seekers with Athol Guy, Bruce Woodley and Keith Potger in 1962.

With hits like 'Georgy Girl' and 'The Carnival Is Over,' they became the first Australian pop group to achieve major chart success in the UK and US, paving the way for other stars like Olivia Newton-John.

The Seekers hold the record for the biggest concert crowd in the southern hemisphere, with about 200,000 people attending a show in March 1967.