Nobel Prize-winning physicist Professor Stephen Hawking, who shaped modern cosmology and inspired millions despite suffering from a life-threatening condition, died on Wednesday. He was 76.
His family released a statement in the early hours of Wednesday confirming his death at his home in Cambridge, The Guardian reported.
"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years," Hawking's children said in a statement.
"His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, aIt would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him for ever," the statement added.
Hawking is survived by three children -- Robert, Lucy and Timothy -- from his first marriage to Jane Wilde, and three grandchildren.
Hawking was born on Januart 8, 1942 in Oxford, England.
Known the world over for his acclaimed book "A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes", Hawking was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) -- a progressive neuro-degenerative disease -- in 1963 at age 21.
Hawking's doctors gave him nearly two years to live but he defied the medical history and survived for decades.
For the rest of his life, the physicist used a wheelchair to move around and a speech synthesizer that allowed him to speak in a computerised voice with an American accent.
For Hawking, the early diagnosis of his terminal disease ignited a fresh sense of purpose.
"Although there was a cloud hanging over my future, I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying life in the present more than before. I began to make progress with my research," he once said.
"My goal is simple. It is a complete understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all," Hawking added.
With fellow physicist Roger Penrose, Hawking merged Einstein's theory of relativity with quantum theory, suggesting that space and time would begin with Big Bang and end in black holes.
In 1974, Hawking proposed what is known as his most significant theory that black holes can emit sub-atomic particles.
Published for the first time in 1988, "A Brief History of Time" stayed on the Sunday Times bestsellers list for an unprecedented 237 weeks. It sold 10 million copies and was translated into 40 different languages.
Shocked Hawking fans took to Twitter to mourn his death.
"Stephen Hawking, confined to a wheel chair, had thoughts flicker in his brain that changed the world more than entire generations of modern politicians. With some luck, with his passing will come some perspective as well as appreciation," wrote David Rothkopf.
The physicist's inspiring story gave birth to the 2014 movie "The Theory of Everything," which was based on a memoir by Hawking's first wife Wilde.
Actor Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Hawking in the film won him an Oscar for Best Actor.
NASA head Nelson says China hiding military presence in space
The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space.
Viksit Bharat Ambassador: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar praises PM Modi, makes appeal to first-time voters
“This has made the Ram bhakts and devotees highly emotional. Lord Ram can’t be detached from our lives as it forms the core of our existence,” he said.
Bengal Governor says will be in Cooch Behar on polling day, EC opposes move
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has announced his intent to camp in the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha constituency in north Bengal on April 19, the day the constituency goes to polls in the first phase, but the poll panel has urged him to refrain.
‘Act East Policy’ to accelerate development in Northeast: PM Modi in Tripura
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said that his government closed the previous Congress government’s ‘Look East Policy’ and undertook the ambitious ‘Act East Policy’ to accelerate the ambitious development of the northeastern region.
LS polls: Campaigning ends for 1st phase of voting in 15 constituencies in 8 NE states
The campaigning for the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in 15 out of the total 25 Parliamentary constituencies in the eight northeastern states ended on Wednesday, an official said.
Communist governance brought destruction to Tripura rather than progress; PM Modi vows for more development of North-East in next 5 years
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed his last election rally of the 18th Lok Sabha here at Agartala on Wednesday in support of the BJP candidates of both the East and West Tripura Parliamentary constituencies.
Congress does not respect sentiments of people of Assam: PM Modi
The Prime Minister also mentioned that to meet the energy needs of this region, the North East Gas Grid is being build at a cost of Rs 90,000 crore and Barauni Guwahati Pipeline has been dedicated to the country under Urja Ganga Gas Pipeline project.
Indian American selected among 12 NASA astronaut candidates
He continued on to earn a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School.