Popular Mexican singer José José, known as the "Prince of Song", has died at the age of 71.

Axar.az reports citing BBC.

The culture ministry confirmed his death on Saturday, describing him as one of Mexico's most-loved voices.

Known for his heartfelt ballads, José José's career spanned five decades and he sold more than 120 million records. He received several Grammy nominations.

The crooner died at a hospital in South Florida following a battle with pancreatic cancer, media reports say.

The singer, songwriter and occasional actor, whose real name was José Rómulo Sosa Ortiz, rose to the top of the Latin charts in the 1970s with songs such as El Triste. He saw more commercial success in the 1980s, and the album Secrets, released in 1983, became his most popular.