Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's first and longest serving prime minister, died Monday at age 91, the nation's government said.
He died early Monday morning at Singapore General Hospital, where he had been fighting severe pneumonia for weeks.
Many tributes had been posted outside the hospital prior to Lee's passing.
His son and current prime minister, Lee Hsien Loong, had recently thanked the people of Singapore for their support as his father's condition worsened.
He addressed the nation Monday morning, describing his father as a man who gave his life for Singapore.
Lee Kuan Yew led Singapore from 1959 to 1990 and was the first of only three prime ministers.
He is credited with leading the island nation's growth following its independence from Malaysia in 1965. During his tenure, Singapore developed into a financial center in spite of its small size and lack of natural resources.
After stepping down as prime minister, Lee remained a leader within the government until his retirement in 2011.