Lee’s son and current prime of minister, Lee Hsien Loong, announced the news in the early hours of Monday morning local time. “The Prime Minister is deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore. Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18am. He was 91,” said the PMO.

Known as Founding Father and Architect of Modern Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew was a great visionary who transformed dull port city of Singapore into the modern and one of the wealthiest nation in the world. Lee was also the longest serving prime minister in the world history. He first became prime minister of Singapore when the country gained independence in 1965.
He leaves behind two sons – Lee Hsien Loong and Lee Hsien Yang – and a daughter, Lee Wei Ling.

Lee Kuan Yew body would lie in state from 25-28 March at Parliament House so the public could pay their respects, with the state funeral on 29 March.

World leaders have expressed their tributes to the country’s first prime minister.