Former US president Ronald Reagan has died at the age of 93 after a decade-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease, his office and family sources said.
Reagan, a two-term president and former Hollywood star, died at his home in Los Angeles shortly before 2:00 pm local time (0230 IST, Sunday).
"My family and I would like the world to know that president Ronald Reagan has passed away after ten years of Alzheimer's at 93. We appreciate everyone's prayers over the years," his wife Nancy said in a statement.
Ron Reagan Jr and Patty Davis -- children from his marriage to Nancy -- were with him when he died, according to his Los Angeles office.
Reagan, known as the 'Great Communicator', who served as president from 1981-1989, was the longest living US president in history, despite narrowly escaping death in a 1981 assassination attempt in Washington.
Reagan's body will lie in state and will be buried at his presidential library in Simi Valley, California.
"We don't know yet when he will lie in state, we are still figuring out the timeline," a spokesperson in his Los Angeles office said.
His funeral was expected to be at the National Cathedral, an event likely to draw world leaders. The body was to be returned to California for a sunset burial at his library.
President George W Bush was notified of Reagan's death in Paris, and the US flag over the White House was lowered to half-staff.
Reagan, a conservative Republican, had served as president of Hollywood's Screen Actor's Guild and as governor of California before he was elected president in 1981.
More from rediff