Patricia Green, Donda West's publicist, confirmed West died after a cosmetic procedure, but didn't offer details about the operation or explain what the exact cause of her death was.

The former chairwoman of Chicago State University's English department, Donda West also wrote the memoir "Raising Kanye: Life Lessons from the Mother of a Hip-Hop Superstar in May" and was chief executive of West Brands, the parent company of her son's businesses.

Contacted by MTV News, a spokesman for Kanye West issued this statement, "The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief."