David Bowie Dead at 69 After 'Courageous 18-Month Battle with Cancer'

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

David Bowie died of cancer Sunday in New York, PEOPLE confirms. The music legend was 69.

The news was released late Sunday on hisofficial Facebook page.

Bowie’s son Duncan took to Twitter to confirm the news himself shortly afterwards, writing: “Very sorry and sad to say it’s true. I’ll be offline for a while. Love to all.”

During a career spanning more than 40 years, he released 25 albums, includingBlackstar, which hit stores last Friday – his birthday.

Bowie began playing music at 13, starting on saxophone and playing in a number of bands around London. He made his first foray into the music charts in 1969 with the iconic singleSpace Oddity, with the song telling the travels of the fictional astronaut Major Tom.

His albumHunky Dory(1971) featured the classic “Changes” and “Life on Mars,” but it wasThe Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars(1972), which shot him to superstardom.

Bowie broke through with American audiences with “Fame,” (1975), a collaboration with John Lennon featured on his albumYoung Americans. Other songs that he is remembered for include “Let’s Dance,” “Heroes,” “Rebel, Rebel,” “Modern Love,” “Life on Mars?” “Starman” and “Suffragette City.”

Music stars includingMadonna, Cher,Kanye Westand many more flooded Twitter with tributes to the legendary singer following the news.

source: people.com