Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, died on Sunday according to a statement from the prime minister’s office. He was 91.

The news was announced in a statement from the office of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, son of the former prime Minister. The statement was also shared via the prime minister’s official Twitter account, and stated that «Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18 am.»

Lee, who served as prime minister from 1965 to 1990, is often heralded as the founding father of modern Singapore — the man who led the island nation from relative obscurity as a colonial subject to its role today as an Asian leader.

Lee had been in the hospital since Feb. 5, when he was admitted with severe pneumonia. On March 17, the prime minister’s office released a statement saying his condition had “worsened due to an infection.”

Lee is survived by his children: Singapore’s current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Hsien Yang and Lee Wei Ling. Lee’s wife, Kwa Geok Choo, died in 2010, after 60 years of marriage.

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SINGAPORE (AP) — Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore who helped transform the sleepy port into one of the world’s richest nations, died Monday, the government said. He was 91.

Lee was admitted to Singapore General Hospital on Feb. 5 for severe pneumonia and was later put on life support.

The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on its website that Lee «passed away peacefully» at 3:18 a.m.

Lee was feared for his authoritarian tactics but insisted that strict limits on speech and public protest were necessary to maintain stability in the multiethnic and multi-religious country.

He guided Singapore for 31 years until 1990, making it into a global trade and finance center.

Lee’s legacy includes an efficient government with little corruption, low tax rates to attract foreign investment, excellent schools and safe streets.

He has faced criticism, though, for using tough tactics to consolidate power.

He jailed some political rivals without trial for decades and brought defamation lawsuits against journalists and opposition politicians.

Lee commanded immense respect among Singaporeans, who this year will celebrate the country’s 50th independence anniversary.

The Prime Minister’s Office said arrangements for the public to pay respects and funeral arrangements will be announced later.