George Michael dies at age 53

British pop legend George Michael reportedly has died peacefully, at the age of 53. The singer passed away at his home in Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire on Christmas day.

George Michael successfully started his solo career after Wham! and sold millions of albums. His 1987 album 'Faith' won a Grammy for best album of the year.

Wham! scored big with hits such as Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, Freedom! '90 and Last Christmas. Little did we know that yesterday would be his last Christmas.

''George Michael has passed away peacefully at home", his publicist said. The cause of his death is still unidentified. According to his manager Michael Lippman, the singer died from heart failure. The police who were called to the property of Michael in Goring-on-Thames describe his death as ''unexplained but not suspicious.''

"It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period," said the official statement from his family released by Britain's Thames Valley Police yesterday.

Earlier in November 2011 Michael had faced a life-threatening situation as he had been hospitalized with pneumonia. After eight months of rehab, he returned with the album White Light.

Pop Legend and LGBT icon

Besides his legendary music, Michael is worldwide known as one of the leading LGBT activists and for his passionate support of the HIV charity the Terrence Higgins Trust. It took the British singer until his 35th to speak out about his sexuality, but he became a true role model.

That year, in April 1998, he was caught in ‘’a lewd act’’ in front of an undercover police officer in Beverly Hills. He was given a fine of $810 and 80 hours of community service.

Shortly after his arrest Michael exclusively told CNN in an interview that he was gay.

"I want to say that I have no problem with people knowing that I'm in a relationship with a man right now. I have not been in a relationship with a woman for almost 10 years." – George Michael

The incident had loosened something within him, which gained him a leading role in the LGBT community.

His Wham! partner, Andrew Ridgeley reacts heartbroken on Twitter