David Bowie fought back from six heart attacks in the past year to make his final album, it has been reported.
The rock legend - whose new album was released just last week - passed away this morning aged 69 following an 18-month battle with cancer, his family said in a statement.
Now, his biographer, Wendy Leigh, has claimed that he suffered half a dozen heart attacks during his fight against the deadly disease - but fought back from each of them.
“He didn’t just battle cancer if that’s not enough - he had six heart attacks in recent years," she told BBC News.
Bowie pictured with his model wife
The author added that she believed the star had 'orchestrated the timing of his own death'.
"David made sure he died on a Monday morning so that people in England, the England he loved, found out first," she said.
“David was close to the edge, but I truly believe he art-directed his life and his death.”
Although Bowie was known to have suffered a heart attack on stage in Germany in 2004, his battle with the cancer that ultimately claimed his life was kept a closely guarded secret.
His death was announced today on social media, and quickly confirmed by his son.
Film director Duncan Jones tweeted that he was 'very sad' about the passing of his father.
Bowie
Bowie
Underneath a touching picture of himself as a toddler being carried by Bowie, Jones wrote: "Very sorry and sad to say it's true. I'll be offline for a while. Love to all."
A spokesman for Bowie added in a statement: "David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18 month battle with cancer.
"While many of you will share in this loss, we ask that you respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief."
Other celebrities, politicians and musicians have since paid tribute to the father of two, including Kristin Chenoweth, Kanye West, Madonna, Marc Almond, Gene Simmons, Ricky Gervais and Tim Peake.
Bowie pictured in 1975
British Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss."
London Mayor Boris Johnson added: "Terrible news to hear Brixton born David Bowie has died. No one in our age has better deserved to be called a genius."
Bowie's death comes just a month after he attended the opening night of his new show Lazarus in New York.
Making a rare public appearance, the Thin White Duke looked happy and tanned as he greeted fans outside New York's Theatre Workshop on December 12, before watching the musical based on his new track of the same name.
Duncan Jones left(Son) David Bowie right(Father)
It is now clear that the Brixton-born star was struggling with his illness at the time, but still managed to stop and greet fans who gathered outside of the theatre.
Bowie - who rose to global fame following his creation of an androgynous alter ego called Ziggy Stardust - was renowned for hits including Space Oddity, Starman and Fame.
He released his final album, Blackstar, last week.
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