Renowned physicist Stephen Hawking has died, family members announced Tuesday.

Hawking died at home at age 76 at home in Cambridge, England.

His children Lucy, Robert and Tim have issued a statement:

"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. His courage and persistence with his brilliance and humour inspired people across the world. He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever."

A cause of death was not immediately disclosed. Hawking was stricken by ALS that over time led to his paralysis, allowing him to communicate only with a device attached to his cheek muscle. Despite that he published groundbreaking works on theoretical physics that gave the world new insights into the creation of the universe.

Tributes began pouring in to Hawking from the worlds of science and pop culture.