Jimmy Buffett, the legendary musician and songwriter, died peacefully surrounded by his family members on Friday.
He was 76 years old.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” the tropical rocker’s family members said in a statement on Instagram. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and might be missed beyond measure by so many.”
The “Margaritaville” singer’s death was announced on social media just months after he was forced to tug the plug on several of his shows following a series of hospitalizations.
Chatting with fans in May, Buffett said he needed to “address some issues that needed immediate attention,” before playfully adding, “Growing old shouldn’t be for sissies, I promise you.”
“I also will promise you, that after I am well enough to perform, that’s what I’ll be doing within the land of She-Crab soup,” he said on the time. “You all make my life more meaningful and fulfilled than I might have ever imagined as a toe-headed little boy sitting on the sting of the Gulf of Mexico.”
“Thanks to your prayers and thoughts, your amazing years of loyalty, and just remember, ‘NOT YET!’ Like to all,” he concluded his May 18 post.
Months later, the long-lasting singer surprised lucky fans in Portsmouth, RI, with an impromptu performance at an area bar.
Buffett, whose hits include “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” and “Trip Across the Sun,” earned his stripes as probably the most charming names in music with a profession that spanned 60 years.
Prior to his death, Buffett was gearing up for the discharge of his latest album, “Songs You Don’t Know by Heart.”
His glittering profession, which saw him release over 50 albums, boasts a myriad of top hits from the Seventies and Nineteen Eighties, including the chart-topping tracks “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday,” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”
A majority of his albums have won him gold, platinum, or multi-platinum plaques, and his success translated seamlessly into sold out shows and tours across the globe.
While he never won a Grammy — despite being nominated twice — Buffett scooped several Country Music Association awards and was even inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Born on Christmas Day in 1946 in Pascagoula, Miss., the rocker grew up in Alabama where he became an avid fourth-generation sailor.
He later put his love for sailing on the back burner as he began to shift his focus to music.
Along with his impressive discography, Buffett leaves behind his eye-watering $1 billion fortune.
The singer was established as a billionaire by Forbes earlier this 12 months after his several business ventures propelled him to earn his spot as one in every of the richest musicians.
His impressive $180 million stake in Margaritaville, his popular chain restaurant that launched in 1985, in addition to an estimated $570 million from touring and recording, all contributed to his staggering net price.
The singer leaves behind his $140 million portfolio of planes and mansions, in addition to his music catalog valued at $50 million.
“When you’re an artist, if you should have control of your life… you then gotta be a businessman, prefer it or not,” he told Forbes in 1994. “So the businessman evolved out of being an artist.”
When he wasn’t on stage, Buffett released several books — including children’s books alongside his daughter Savannah.
He occasionally dabbled as an actor, where he played a handful of small roles or played himself. Buffett’s final acting credit was when he appeared on the hit CBS show “Blue Bloods” in 2022.
Buffett leaves behind his wife, Jane Slagsvol, whom he’s been married to since 1977, in addition to his three children: Savannah, Sarah Delaney, and Cameron.
