Former President George H.W. Bush dies at age 94

George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States, has died Friday at the age of 94, according to a statement from his office.

Former US president, George H.W. Bush smiles as he listens to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speak as he met with Bush to pick up his formal endorsement in Houston, Texas, US March 29, 2012. [Photo:Agencies]

The former president passed away at 10:10 p.m. local time (1610 GMT) on Friday. He was survived by his five children, 17 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two siblings.

The statement said: "He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Barbara; his second child Pauline Robinson 'Robin' Bush; and his brothers Prescott and William or 'Bucky' Bush."

Details about his death were not immediately available.

In a statement issued following his father's death, George W. Bush, the 43rd president of the United States, said "Jeb, Neil, Marvin, Doro, and I are saddened to announce that after 94 remarkable years, our Dad has died."

The statement said that the entire Bush family is deeply grateful for the love shown to Bush senior.

U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a statement hours after Bush's death.

"(First Lady) Melania and I join with a grieving Nation to mourn the loss of former President H.W. Bush," Trump said in the statement.

According to Bush's office, funeral arrangement will be announced soon.

George H.W. Bush was elected U.S. president in 1988 as the successor to Ronald Reagan. He served as head of the U.S. Liaison Office in China between 1974 and 1975.

Born on June 12, 1924 in U.S. state of Massachusetts, George H.W. Bush joined the U.S. Navy upon finishing high school in 1942. His wartime duty was spent in the Pacific flying a three-man Avenger torpedo bomber.

He graduated from Yale in 1948 with a degree in Economics. In November 1966, he ran for Congress and won.