Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter behind legendary hits like "Margaritaville," "Cheeseburger In Paradise," and "Come Monday," died on Friday, according to a statement from his family. He was 76.
“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs,” reads his official website and social media accounts. “He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”
The iconic artist was forced to reschedule shows earlier this year due to health concerns, but no official cause of death has been released at this time. Jimmy was set to release an album titled, Equal Strain on All Parts, in 2023.
Earlier this year, Buffett's signature song, "Margaritaville," was officially preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. “You're lucky enough at some point to put your thumb on the pulse of something that people can connect with,” he shared at time. “It's an amazing and lucky thing to happen to you, and that happened with ‘Margaritaville.’”
"Margaritaville" peaked at number 8 on the Billboard chart after its release in 1977, but it would go on to spawn countless endeavors for the artist, including a restaurant chain and a Broadway musical. In 2016 the song was also included in the GRAMMY Hall of Fame for its cultural and historic significance.
The Mississippi-born Buffett was also considered one of the world's richest musicians, thanks to his relentless touring and business dealings. His net worth was estimated at $1 billion in 2023.
Known for his beach vibe aesthetic, the artist won 2 GRAMMYs during his career, thanks to his Country collaborations. His live shows became a rite of summer for so many fans across the country.
“It’s pure escapism is all it is,” said Buffett. “I’m not the first one to do it, nor shall I probably be the last. But I think it’s really a part of the human condition that you’ve got to have some fun. You’ve got to get away from whatever you do to make a living or other parts of life that stress you out. I try to make it at least 50/50 fun to work and so far it’s worked out.”