After being admitted to the hospital on Thursday, Muhammad Ali died on Friday at HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz. The former boxer was 74 years old.
Ali was admitted for respiratory complications, according to spokesman Bob Gunnell, who later announced the news of his death.
“After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” Gunnell stated. “The Ali family would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and support and asks for privacy at this time.”
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The boxing legend’s daughter, Hana Ali, stated in a tweet that his children spent the final moments next to him. Some had whispered a touching message in his ear: “You can go now. We will be okay. We love you. Thank you. You can go back to God now.”
Ali had suffered from Parkinson’s disease for approximately 30 years, which sometimes causes breathing complications.
Throughout his illness, Ali did not allow it to stop him from speaking out or be involved in controversial matters. As recently as December 2015, he released a statement regarding Donald Trump’s plea to ban Muslims from entering the country. “We as Muslims have to stand up to those who use Islam to advance their own personal agenda,” said Ali in a statement.
After retiring in 1979, he returned to the ring to take on Larry Holmes, but ultimately lost. He then fought Trevor Berbick and finally retired for good. One of Ali’s most memorable moments brought many to tears after he lit the 1996 Olympic torch during opening ceremonies.
Ali’s ability to speak became increasingly difficult during the last years of his life, but allowed his wife to read his essay on NPR, which partly read, “I never thought of the possibility of failing, only of the fame and glory I was going to get when I won. I could see it. I could almost feel it. When I proclaimed that I was the greatest of all time, I believed in myself, and I still do.”