While touching tributes to Muhammad Ali were pouring in from world leaders, fellow athletes and friends, the boxing great had already addressed how he wanted the world to think about him after his death.
In a tweet, Hana Ali said his children surrounded Ali in his final moments, holding his hands, hugging and kissing him and chanting prayer.
She wrote that some whispered in his ear, that he can go now and they will be okay.
After Ali's organs failed, his daughter wrote in the tweet, his heart continued to beat for another 30 minutes: "A true testament to the strength of his Spirit and Will!"
Hana Ali on Muhammad Ali's last moments: "All of his organs failed but his heart wouldn't stop beating." https://t.co/I2SpjrtFAv
— Complex (@ComplexMag) June 4, 2016
US President Barack Obama says he and the first lady Michelle Obama will mourn Ali's passing.
"We pray that the greatest fighter of them all finally rests in peace." —President Obama #RIPMuhammadAli
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) June 4, 2016
Former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson also paid his tribute saying “God came for his champion. So long great one”.
God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016
George Foreman, who Ali defeated in 1974 for the world heavyweight title, wrote on Twitter that it was Ali’s beauty that beat him.
Hana Ali & the whole family, my heart goes out you. Muhammad Ali has been a fine man. That will never die. pic.twitter.com/3L5HK0zPCb
— George Foreman (@GeorgeForeman) June 4, 2016
Ali’s body will be escorted from Arizona to Kentucky, where funeral services will be held next Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bill Clinton will give eulogy at boxing legend's funeral – as it happened.
Earlier on:
Muhammad Ali, the legendary boxer who proclaimed himself "The Greatest" and was among the most famous and beloved athletes on the planet has passed away.
Muhammad Ali through the years with Kobe, Shaq, Kareem and Elgin. pic.twitter.com/FBG0jDuEtt
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) June 4, 2016
CNN is reporting that a family spokesman said Ali had been at hospital since Thursday with what spokesman Bob Gunnell had described as a respiratory issue.
The three‑time heavyweight champion also had battled Parkinson's disease since 1984.
The boxing legend also was hospitalized in January 2015 with a urinary tract infection.
In recent years, Ali had largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
In his last known appearance, Ali appeared at Parkinson's fundraiser on April 9th in Phoenix, according to the Arizona Republic.
He once was known not only for his athletic prowess as a three‑time heavyweight champion but also for his social activism.
Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky, as Cassius Clay in January 1942.
He began boxing as an amateur when he was 12-years-old and in 1964 became heavyweight champion with a knockout of Sonny Liston.
That year he joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name.
He retired from boxing in 1981.
Source: CNN
.@BillClinton and @HillaryClinton on passing of Muhammad Ali: “Speed and strength that may never be matched again." pic.twitter.com/sZOQrZSsmB
— ABC News (@ABC) June 4, 2016
