Natalie Cole [ tickets ], who announced last July that she was suffering from hepatitis C, underwent kidney transplant surgery Tuesday (5/19) at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to her publicist.

The kidney came from a deceased organ donor through the regional organ procurement agency One Legacy. Cole had been receiving kidney dialysis three times a week since September, often at hospitals around the world as she toured in support of her current Grammy-winning CD, "Still Unforgettable."

On the advice of her doctors, Cole plans to postpone her summer tour dates as she recuperates for the next three to four months. Further information about the re-scheduled dates will be available shortly, according to Cole's camp.