Singer Maria Venuti suffers stroke at 75

Aussie singer and entertainer Maria Venuti has suffered a stroke.

The vivacious cabaret performer and actor, 75, reportedly had the stroke on Saturday morning and is recovering in hospital with daughter Bianca at her side.

Bianca has requested "prayers, mantras and good vibes for Maria over the next few days", Australian Ladies Variety Association (ALVA) president Susie Smither wrote in a Facebook post on Saturday.

"The doctors need 24 hours to ascertain what has happened and to come to decisions on what needs to be done," she wrote.

Ms Venuti turned heads at the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday with a sizeable headpiece.

She is perhaps best known for her role as Mama Gigliott in the television series Pizza.