She sang a disco pop song called I Will Survive which is one of the best selling hit singles of history. She was also a gospel singer too and won the Grammy for Best Roots Gospel Album in 2020. She has also offered her time, money and performances for charity to support children and families at risk due to poverty and abuse.

She was named Gloria Fowles and she was born in Newark, New Jersey. She grew up surrounded by music all the time. Gloria had 5 brothers who sang gospel music. And she became a tomboy. Her family was relatively poor but her home was filled with songs and happiness. "All through my young life I wanted to sing, although nobody in my family knew it" Gloria wrote in her autobiography. They wouldn't allow her to sing in the choir with her brothers.

Gloria became a singer with The Soul Satisfyers. When she released her first single She Will Be Sorry she was professionally called Gloria Gaynor. A name possibly suggested by a producer called Johnny Nash. Gloria married Linwood Simon who was hee manager in 1979 but they divorced without children.

In 1978, Gloria was performing on stage and had an accident where she fell backwards on stage while trying to do a fun routine. She injured her back and suffered paralyzation from the waist down. She spent three months recovering from that and within a year she wrote and performed I Will Survive. 

Gloria wrote books. Her first book I Will Survive: The Book was written in 1997. It is her autobiography. She writes about her childhood and her beginnings as a singer. Her second book, We Will Survive: True Stories of Encouragement, Inspiration and the Power of Song is a collection of stories from people who have used her music during their struggle with illness and personal crises.