One of Boyzone's two lead singers, Gately was known as a quiet, introspective man, fond of exploring alternative therapies such as crystals and meditation. He spoke of his battles with depression, suffering a two-year addiction to prescription drugs when the band split up in 2000.
Pop star Sir Elton John helped the singer end his addiction, introducing him to his long-term partner, businessman Andy Cowles, who was in Majorca with him.
John said Sunday he was "stunned by this tragedy," describing Gately as "the kindest, gentlest soul. ...We send our love and condolences to his partner Andy and to all his friends everywhere."
Gately's former band colleagues also expressed their grief on Gately's official Web site, saying he was "our friend and brother."
"We have shared such wonderful times together over the years and were all looking forward to sharing many more," a statement said.
"Stephen was a beautiful person in both body and spirit. He lit up our lives and those of the many friends he had all over the world. Our love and sympathy go out to Andrew and Stephen's family. We love you and will miss you forever."
Boyzone scored six No. 1 hits during the 1990s, and Gately in particular won praise from many for "coming out" as gay at the age of 23.
Gately was compelled to acknowledge his homosexuality publicly when a former member of the band's security detail threatened to sell his story to the tabloids.
On June 16, 1999, Gately gave an interview to Britain's The Sun newspaper, saying, "I'm gay and I'm in love." He described the decision to "come out" as "the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I owe it to our fans -- as well as myself -- to be completely honest."
"I know this may come as a bombshell to our followers. Many of them may be upset. I only hope they understand how important it is for me to reveal that I am gay."
By doing so, Gately broke a taboo, and Boyzone's manager, Louis Walsh, said that if he had known about Gately's sexuality when he formed the band, he wouldn't have selected him, since "it wasn't cool then to have a gay guy in a band."
But the anticipated backlash from the band's mostly female fans did not materialize and after the band broke up, Gately enjoyed some success as a solo artist.
His only solo album "New Beginning" made it to the U.K. Top 10 and produced three hit singles. He also starred in several musicals, including Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" in 2003-04.
Do you have more information about this topic? If so, please click here to contact the editors of ABC News.
