Former four-time District of Columbia mayor and city council member Marion Barry has died at age 78.
He passed away at around midnight on Sunday at the United Medical Center in southeast D.C., his family said in a statement released by D.C. City Council.
He was released from Howard University Hospital on Saturday.
Barry has battled a number of ailments including prostate cancer and diabetes. In 2009 he received a kidney transplant.
He served as the District's mayor from 1979 to 1991, then again from 1995 to 1999. He was in his third term as the 8th Ward representative on the city council when he died.
Barry's local celebrity exploded into international fame in 1990, when he was videotaped smoking crack by federal agents.
He was arrested and sent to federal prison for six months. That time in prison, however, did not affect his political career in the city at all. He was elected to the city council just a year and a half later in 1992.
Then, he was re-elected as the D.C. Mayor in 1994.
Barry leaves behind his wife, Cora Masters, his son, Marion Christopher Barry and his two stepdaughters, Tamara Masters Wild and Lalanya Masters Abner.
In a statement released early Sunday morning, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray expressed his "deep sadness" after learning of Barry's passing.
"Marion was not just a colleague but also was a friend with whom I shared many fond moments about governing the city," he said.
"He loved the District of Columbia and so many Washingtonians loved him."
Washington, D.C. mayor-elect Muriel Bowser said in a statement: "Mayor Marion Barry gave a voice to those who need it most and lived his life in service to others.
"I – along with all Washingtonians – am shocked and deeply saddened by his passing..."
She paid condolences to the Barry family.
"He will continue to be an example to me and so many others," she added.
Barry released his autobiography "Mayor For Life, the Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr." in June 2014.
A recorded interview with Barry will appear on Oprah at 9:00 p.m. EST on Sunday to discuss his book, and 40 year political and civil rights career.
Contributing: Jane Onyanga-Omara
Marion Barry, ex-scandal-plagued Washington, D.C., mayor, dies at 78 - Orlando Sentinel