Jamaican reggae pioneer Jimmy Cliff has died at the age of 81, his wife Latifa Chambers announced.
According to her statement, he suffered a seizure that was followed by pneumonia.
“To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career,” she said in the post.
“He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.”
“Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes,” Latifa said. “I hope you all can respect our privacy during these hard times. Further information will be provided at a later date. See you and we see you Legend.”
Born James Chambers in 1944 in Jamaica, Jimmy rose to fame as a teenager after writing the song ‘Hurricane Hattie’.
Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he recorded more than 30 albums and became internationally known for songs including ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’, ‘Many Rivers to Cross’, and his cover of ‘I Can See Clearly Now’.
Jimmy also starred in the groundbreaking 1972 film The Harder They Come, widely credited with helping to bring reggae music and Jamaican culture to global audiences.
He was honoured with Jamaica’s Order of Merit and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
The loss has triggered widespread tributes across the music world, with many recognising Jimmy as a foundational figure in reggae who helped shape its message of resilience, hope, and social justice.
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