The family of the great Professor Stephen Hawking has announced that he has died peacefully in his home at the age of 76, 55 years after being diagnosed with the motor neurone disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and given just two years to live. He died at his Cambridge, England home early in the morning.
In a statement, his children, Lucy, Robert and Tim mentioned, “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.”
Born on January 8, 1942 in Oxford, England, Hawking is amongst the best-known theoretical physicist the world has known. He became one of science’s biggest stars with his writing of the mysteries of space, time and blackholes in his internationally best-selling book A Brief History of Time.
He once said as he celebrated his 70th birthday: “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet,” he added. “Try to make sense of what you see and about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.”
Even though his body was attacked by a disease that majorly impacted his life by weakening the muscles and limiting physical function, he stunned doctors by living with the illness for over 50 years. The world has lost a great legend today. Rest in peace, Stephen Hawking..
