She had many noted students, including Blondie singer Debbie Harry, Taylor Mac, Justin Vivian Bond, Diamanda Galás, and Kathleen Hanna.

[1] Gustern had many noted students, including Blondie singer Debbie Harry, Taylor Mac, Justin Vivian Bond, Diamanda Galas, and Kathleen Hanna.

[7] On March 10, 2022, Gustern sustained a head injury after being pushed to the ground by a woman outside of her apartment building in Chelsea, Manhattan.

While she remained conscious in the immediate aftermath and was able to give information to the police, her health deteriorated soon after, and she was taken to Bellevue Hospital for surgery, where it was found that she had suffered severe brain damage.

[9][10] On March 22, 2022, a 26-year-old woman, Lauren Pazienza, turned herself in to authorities in connection to Gustern's death, and was charged with manslaughter.