As 100 Percent Fed Up reported, legendary singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett died late Friday at the age of 76.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” a statement on his website read.
“He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
— Jimmy Buffett (@jimmybuffett) September 2, 2023
According to his family, Buffett struggled with an undisclosed medical issue for the last year.
The Los Angeles Times noted in June 2023 that Buffett was hospitalized for unspecified health issues that needed immediate attention.
RIP Jimmy Buffett 🥀🕊
“A Pirate Looks at Forty” 🎼🖤
Performed with Zac Brown 🎸🎸 pic.twitter.com/b2TnyGLsDL— 𝕲𝖎𝖌𝖎 🔥 (@tigerizelovie) September 2, 2023
Sources with ‘direct knowledge’ reportedly said Buffett suffered from skin cancer the past four years.
Jimmy Buffett, whose sun-drenched songs celebrated life by the shore, died of a rare, aggressive skin cancer, according to a statement on his website. https://t.co/minA76VHFy
— The Associated Press (@AP) September 3, 2023
TMZ reports:
Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ … Jimmy was diagnosed with skin cancer 4 years ago that turned into lymphoma, and we’re told that was the cause of death. As one close friend put it, “He lived his life in the sun, literally and figuratively.” Jimmy began receiving hospice care last Monday and there was an outpouring of love from friends and family. We’re told a week ago Sir Paul McCartney came to Jimmy’s house and sang to Jimmy’s family.
Jimmy Buffet’s cause of death revealed after secret cancer battle: report https://t.co/dc3JJXLrUG pic.twitter.com/L8eDz1muue
— Page Six (@PageSix) September 2, 2023
AP added:
He had been fighting the cancer for four years while continuing to perform, the last time making a surprise appearance in Rhode Island in early July, the statement said.
Merkel cell carcinoma, as it’s known in medical literature, is very rare and tends to spread quickly, including to parts of the body beyond the skin, according to the federal National Cancer Institute and the Mayo Clinic. Risk factors include a lot of sun exposure, a weakened immune system, a history of other cancers, and being light-skinned and over 50.
Buffett conjured an easygoing, sand-between-the-toes lifestyle in songs such as “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and “Margaritaville.” He built the latter into a brand that encompassed restaurants, clothing, casinos and more.
