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.