Renowned physicist and one of the greatest minds of our time Stephen Hawking has died at the age of 76.
Hawking died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to his family.
Throughout his life, the Oxford-born Hawking was best known for predicting that black holes emitted radiation, as well as his work on relativity. He was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease at the age of 22 and given just months to live, but went on to marry twice and have three children - Lucy, Robert and Tim.
His life story was recounted in the film 'The Theory of Everything', which saw Eddie Redmayne play Hawking, and appeared as himself in several cartoons, including The Simpsons.
His family released a statement saying: "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."
"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."
Many people have paid tribute to Hawking since news broke of his death:
Sad to hear about Stephen Hawking. What a remarkable life. His contributions to science will be used as long as there are scientists, and there are many more scientists because of him. He spoke about the value and fragility of human life and civilisation and greatly enhanced both
— Brian Cox (@ProfBrianCox) March 14, 2018
His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018
Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5
— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018
Saddened to hear that professor Stephen Hawking has passed away. A genius in the true sense of the world and a quite extraordinary man. #ripstephenhawking
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) March 14, 2018
Actor Eddie Redmayne has paid tribute to Stephen Hawking. Eddie played the professor in the 2014 film, The Theory of Everything. pic.twitter.com/bMSAiSDxd4
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) March 14, 2018
“If you are looking for trouble, you found it.� #StephenHawking pic.twitter.com/PnYg07MhAz
— SimpsonsQOTD (@SimpsonsQOTD) March 14, 2018
We were on earth at the same time as Stephen Hawking.
That's kind of a miraculous thing.
We breathed the same air as the man who demystified the stars.— Geraldine (@everywhereist) March 14, 2018
Stephen Hawking inspired the world with his determination to explain the mysteries of the cosmos. But he also showed breathtaking courage to overcome life's adversities and a burning passion to protect our National Health Service. He will be greatly missed.
— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) March 14, 2018