Mexican Musical Icon Juan Gabriel Dies At 66

Mexican pop star and Latin music icon Juan Gabriel has died following a massive heart attack in Los Angeles on Sunday. Gabriel was 66 years old.

JUAN GABRIEL, MEXICAN SUPERSTAR, DIES AT 66

Gabriel had been touring throughout the United States for his MeXXico Es Todo tour, which had him scheduled on 360 stages in 22 cities, playing to sold out crowds. He had played at The Forum in L.A. on Friday night, and suffered a massive heart attack before heading to the airport to go to El Paso for the next stop on the tour.

Gabriel, whose real name was Alberto Aguilera Valadez, was set to have his life story told via telenovela on Telemundo in the near future. His career spanned 45 years and more than 100 million records. Known to many as El Divo de Juarez, Gabriel was nominated for multiple Grammys and was inducted into Billboard’s Latin Music Hall of Fame in 1996.

Fans the world over will mourn his death. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted his condolences, saying “A voice and a talent that represented Mexico. His music, a legacy to the world. He left us too soon. May he rest in peace.”

Many fans took to twitter to pay their respects, many comparing this loss to that of David Bowie or Prince.

Listen to one of Gabriel’s most well known songs, “Amor Eterno,” below.