Kofi Annan, the only black African to become UN secretary-general, has died at the age of 80, his foundation confirmed today.

Annan passed away peacefully Saturday morning after a short illness, with his wife Nane and their three children by his side during his final days, the Kofi Annan Foundation said.

Annan was born in Ghana in 1938 and served two terms as seventh UN chief from 1997 to 2006. He was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work. He later served as the UN special envoy for Syria, leading efforts to find a solution to the conflict.

“Wherever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched many people with his deep compassion and empathy,” the statement said.