In a Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009 file photo, Natalie Cole holds the best instrumental arrangement accompanying vocalist award backstage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, in Los Angeles. Cole, the daughter of jazz legend Nat "King" Cole who carried on his musical legacy, died Thursday night, Dec. 31, 2015, according to publicist Maureen O'Connor. She was 65. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

Natalie Cole, who died Thursday in Los Angeles at age 65, was a Grammy winning superstar honored and haunted by comparisons to others.

"Natalie fought a fierce, courageous battle, dying how she lived ... with dignity, strength and honor. Our beloved Mother and sister will be greatly missed and remain UNFORGETTABLE in our hearts forever," read a statement from her son, Robert Yancy, and sisters Timolin and Casey Cole.

According to her family, Cole died of complications from ongoing health issues. She had battled drug problems and hepatitis that forced her to undergo a kidney transplant in May 2009. Cole's older sister, Carol "Cookie" Cole, died the day she received the transplant. Their brother, Nat Kelly Cole, died in 1995.

"I had to hold back the tears," Franklin, who had feuded with Coleearly in Cole's career, said in a statement. "She fought for so long. She was one of the greatest singers of our time. She represented the Colelegend of excellence and class quite well."