Jimmy Buffett, billionaire and 'Margaritaville' singer, is dead at 76

• Jimmy Buffett has died at the age of 76.
• The billionaire "Margaritaville" singer was the face of the restaurant chain of the same name.

Legendary musician and founder of the Margaritaville chain, Jimmy Buffett, has died at the age of 76.

"Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music, and dogs," the announcement of his death shared on the official Jimmy Buffett website read. "He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many."

The cause of Buffett's death has not yet been shared publicly. In May, the singer was hospitalized for an unspecified medical issue in Boston, USA Today reported.

Born in 1946, Buffett went on to become one of the the best-known musicians of the last five decades. After releasing his debut album "Down to Earth," in 1970, he went on to achieve breakthrough success seven years later with his seventh studio album "Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes" in 1977, which remains his best-selling album and contains his signature song, "Margaritaville."

His success transcended industries. In 1985, he opened his first Margaritaville Cafe in Key West, Florida. The chain now has more than 60 restaurant and bar venues as well as 20 hotels and resorts, according to its website.

In 2023, Forbes proclaimed Buffett a billionaire due to his $180 million stake in Margaritaville; an estimated $570 million from touring and recording; $140 million in homes and planes; a $50 million music catalog; and shares in Warren Buffet's company Berkshire Hathaway. The pair have the same last name – but are not related.

Fans of Buffett, known as "Parrotheads," have started paying tribute to the singer on his social media pages.

A post shared on Instagram, where Buffet's death was announced Saturday, has received about 17,000 likes and nearly 1,900 comments.

"There will only be one Jimmy Buffett," one fan wrote. "He is in Heaven now strumming his six string and singing his timeless songs."

"Sending love to all of his family, friends, and Parrotheads. This one hurts," another commented.