I think I’m still a little shocked by the sudden death of Luciano Pavarotti.

Pavarotti was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, and at 5 a.m. local time on Thursday September 6th he passed away in his Modena, Italy home. His manager, Terri Robson had this to say –

“The Maestro fought a long, tough battle against the pancreatic cancer which eventually took his life. In fitting with the approach that characterized his life and work, he remained positive until finally succumbing to the last stages of his illness,” the statement said.

Pavarotti was arguably the most famous opera singer in the world for the past 35 years.

Nicoletta Mantovani, Luciano’s second wife, survives him, as does his three daughters by his first wife Adua. Pavarotti also had a daughter with Mantovani in 2003 who survives him as well.