Tributes have poured in from across the world following the announcement that David Bowie, legendary musician and actor, has died.
Bowie passed away in his home on Sunday after an 18-month battle with cancer, his agent confirmed to CNN.
“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer. While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” said a statement posted on his official social media accounts.
On Sunday, Bowie’s wife Iman Abdulmajid tweeted: “The struggle is real, but so is God.”
“Sometimes you will never know the true value of a moment before it becomes a memory,” Somali-American Abdulmajid, who Bowie married in 1992, tweeted the day before his death.
His son confirmed the sad news on Twitter.
Producer Brian Eno said he believed Bowie knew his death was imminent, after he received an email a week ago. “It was signed ‘Dawn,’” Eno said. “I realize now he was saying goodbye.”
Singer-songerwriter Lorde posted an emotional essay on Facebook. “I’ve never met a hero of mine and liked it. It just sucks, the pressure is too huge, you can’t enjoy it. David was different.”
“I’ll never forget the caressing of our hands as we spoke, or the light in his eyes.”
Canadian astronaut and musician Chris Hadfield is famous for performing Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’ while floating around the space station. And his tribute was spot on.
“David Bowie was one of my most important inspirations, so fearless, so creative, he gave us magic for a lifetime,” wrote Kanye West on Twitter.
The star will also be remembered for his contribution to history.
“I wish he could have stayed on earth longer. RIP,” wrote author J.K. Rowling.
Comedian Ricky Gervais, fresh from hosting the Golden Globes on Sunday night, said that David Bowie was a “hero” of his.
“My condolences to the family of The Legendary artist David Bowie may he he rest in peace,” posted Whoopi Goldberg on Instagram.
Britain’s Prime Minister, David Cameron, said Bowie provided the soundtrack to the lives of his generation.
Rocker Gene Simmons said that Bowie would be “sorely missed.”
Actor Will Arnett said that Bowie was “the greatest.”
Tim Peake, the first British European Space Agency astronaut to arrive at the International Space Station, said that Bowie’s music “was an inspiration to many.” One of the late musician’s most famous songs, “Space Oddity,” chronicles the launch of fictional astronaut Major Tom.
The European Space Agency’s Rosetta probe also made it its mission to commemorate the loss.
Even one of the world’s busiest airports expressed their gratitude.
The Ritzy cinema in Brixton in the south of London where Bowie was born felt there was only one announcement worth making, bringing the legend back home.