Stephen Hawking has passed away at the age of 76, with tributes pouring in from around the world.
The renowned physicist, whose best-selling work included A Brief History of Time, died peacefully at his Cambridge home in the early hours of Wednesday (March 14).
Hawking’s family confirmed the news of his death, with his children saying in a statement: “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.”
Since the news broke, stars from the worlds of science, politics and popular culture have been paying respect to the icon.
NASA wrote on Twitter: “His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring”, while Neil deGrasse Tyson said of Hawking: “His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it’s not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure.”
Remembering Stephen Hawking, a renowned physicist and ambassador of science. His theories unlocked a universe of possibilities that we & the world are exploring. May you keep flying like superman in microgravity, as you said to astronauts on @Space_Station in 2014 pic.twitter.com/FeR4fd2zZ5
— NASA (@NASA) March 14, 2018
His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it's not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure. Stephen Hawking, RIP 1942-2018. pic.twitter.com/nAanMySqkt
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) March 14, 2018
I recall when we has giving lectures and it was a huge effort for him to speak (before the tracheotomy and the computer voice) he still made the effort to throw jokes in. That says something.
— Jonathan McDowell (@planet4589) March 14, 2018
Stephen Hawking died today. I nearly killed him, and he me, 15 years ago, when his wheelchair shot out between two parked cars at Cambridge, and I was on my bike. I swerved at the last moment. 100% his fault. God bless you and RIP.
— Sarah Parcak (@indyfromspace) March 14, 2018
RIP Stephen Hawking – you changed the way we see the universe.
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 14, 2018
We lost a great one today. Stephen Hawking will be remembered for his incredible contributions to science – making complex theories and concepts more accessible to the masses. He’ll also be remembered for his spirit and unbounded pursuit to gain a complet…https://t.co/z1du859Gy2
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) March 14, 2018
“There’s a big black hole in my heart hours before Pi day,” wrote Katy Perry. “Rest In Peace.” Foo Fighters labelled Hawking a “fucking legend”.
Film director Errol Morris, who made 1991’s A Brief History Of Time, a documentary about Hawking and his work, said: “It had to happen, eventually. We were lucky to have him for so long, and I was lucky to be able to work with him. A truly fabulous human being. Stephen Hawking. Funny, perverse, and, of course, brilliant.”
See more tributes beneath.
there’s a big black hole in my heart hours before Pi day. Rest In Peace @Steven_Hawking… See you in the next ❤️
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) March 14, 2018
"Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet" – RIP Stephen Hawking you fucking legend.
— Foo Fighters (@foofighters) March 14, 2018
I just heard about Stephen Hawking's passing. He was both a genius and my favorite Simpsons character. We'll miss you, buddy.
— Macaulay Culkin (@IncredibleCulk) March 14, 2018
YOU KNEW THIS UNIVERSE BETTER THAN THE REST OF US…AND NOW YOU PLAY IN SOME FAR AWAY PART OF IT. YOU CHANGED THE WORLD AND LEFT AN IMPACT…A REMARKABLE GENIUS WE WONT SOON FORGET. ENDLESS THANK YOUS AND BLESSINGS TO THE HAWKING FAMILY. GOD BLESS STEPHEN HAWKING. pic.twitter.com/UxnNknbMaB
— Steven Tyler (@IamStevenT) March 14, 2018
It had to happen, eventually. We were lucky to have him for so long, and I was lucky to be able to work with him. A truly fabulous human being. Stephen Hawking. Funny, perverse, and, of course, brilliant.
— errolmorris (@errolmorris) March 14, 2018
I once asked Stephen Hawking in an interview what puzzles him the most in all the universe. "Women," he answered. He will be missed. R.I.P.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) March 14, 2018
RIP Stephen Hawking. The world just dropped a lot of IQ points. And, he was a fun person. Very sad news.
— Jonathan Ross (@wossy) March 14, 2018
Once had privilege of meeting genius Stephen Hawking. We had so much in common. Same first name. Both been in The Big Bang Theory. So much.
— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) March 14, 2018
"My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit as well as physically."
Godspeed on your journey to the stars. #StephenHawking ? ? ?— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) March 14, 2018
As you scroll through all the tweets praising his intelligence, remember that a little over a year ago, Stephen Hawking identified capitalism as the greatest threat to humanity. Yeah, he was pretty fucking smart. RIP, sir.https://t.co/DS5LWeIQ74
— ????????. (@clppng) March 14, 2018