March 14 or 3/14: A day when math enthusiasts the World over were celebrating Pi Day, the famed theoretical physicist and cosmologist, Stephen Hawkings died at the age of 76 leaving behind a void in the world of science. The news was confirmed through a statement by his family stating that he died early Wednesday morning at his house in Cambridge.
"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 for ever," read the statement released by Hawking’s children, Lucy, Robert and Tim.
Stephen Hawking, reports suggest, died after complications due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. He was first diagnosed with the disease in 1963. Hawkings was just 21 years old then but while 80 percent of ALS patients die within five years of diagnosis, Hawking survived for decades.The world-renowned cosmologist will be best remembered for work on black holes. He rose to public prominence in 1988 with his first book for common consumption A Brief History of Time: From the Big Bang to Black Holes. It sold close to 10 million copies worldwide, one of the best-selling science books ever.
Hawking's story was turned into a 2014 movie 'The Theory of Everything,' based on a memoir by his first wife, Jane Wilde. The film won actor Eddie Redmayne an Oscar for best actor for his portrayal of Hawking.