Mexican music legend Juan Gabriel dies at 66

In this Nov. 5, 2009, file photo, Mexican singer Juan Gabriel accepts the person of the year award at the 10th Annual Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas. Representatives of Juan Gabriel have reported Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, that he has died. Gabriel was Mexico’s leading singer-songwriter and top-selling artist with sales of more than 100 million albums. The statement says he died Sunday, but did not say where. AP File Photo

MEXICO CITY, Mexico—Legendary Mexican singer and producer Juan Gabriel died on Sunday after a heart attack in Santa Monica, California, the Televisa network reported in his home country. He was 66.

Alberto Aguilera Valadez, who used the stage name Juan Gabriel, “died at 11:30 local time of a heart attack,” Televisa reported.

Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto praised Gabriel as “a voice and a talent that reflected Mexico.”

“His music was his legacy for the world. He left us too soon,” Pena Nieto added on Twitter.

Gabriel, whose hits included “Hasta que te conoci” (“Until I met you”) and “Asi Fue” (“That’s How It Was”), was born in Paracuaro, Michoacan state. He was also well known for his musical films, and for his work as a music producer.

While on tour on Friday, Gabriel gave a packed concert in Los Angeles that had fans singing along and dancing for more than two hours.

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