Legendary singer Jimmy Buffett, best known for “Margaritaville,” has died.
The Grammy nominee “passed away peacefully on the night of September 1 surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” according to a statement posted on his social media accounts early Saturday morning.
Buffett was 76 years old.
The songwriter “lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many,” the statement concluded.
His cause of death has yet to be revealed.
Celebrities took to social media to mourn the musician over the weekend, from Andy Cohen to Hoda Kotb.
“He lived life in a happy groove, emanating positivity, joy and kindness. He was everybody’s friend, and Paradise was wherever he was,” the “Watch What Happens Live” host, 55, wrote of the “king of cool.”
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As for Kotb, the 59-year-old “Today” show co-host gushed, “This man personified joy. Embodied goodness. Always smiling.
“I remember the time he met my mom at jazzfest and showered her with love… like he knew her his whole life,” she continued via Instagram. “Bet he did that millions of times to millions of people. RIP @jimmybuffett.”
News of Buffett’s death comes four months after he was hospitalized and subsequently cancelled a series of shows.
“I had a sudden change of plans this week that affected us all,” the songwriter wrote in May while “address[ing] some issues that needed immediate attention.”
He added, “Growing old is not for sissies, I promise you. … Thank you for your prayers and thoughts, your amazing years of loyalty, and just remember, ‘NOT YET!’”
The “Cheeseburger in Paradise” singer is survived by his wife, Jane Slagsvol, and their three children — Savannah, Sarah and Cameron.
While Buffett’s career kicked off in the 1960s, his breakthrough song “Margaritaville” came out in 1977.
The iconic tune has since inspired a restaurant chain of the same name, as well as resorts, a radio station, a Broadway musical and more.
