Iconic Fashion Designer Oscar de la Renta Dies At 82

One of the world most respected fashion designer Oscar de la Renta has passed away.

De la Renta who was battling Cancer for eight years, is reported to have died on Monday, October 20, 2014, surrounded by family and friends at his Connecticut home in US.

‘While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much with us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company’, a handwritten statement signed by his stepdaughter Eliza Reed Bolen and her husband, Alex Bolen confirmed.

‘All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much’, it further read.

Born in the Dominican Republic in 1932, De la Renta travelled to Madrid to study painting at the age of 18. It was there he developed a love of fashion design and began an apprenticeship with Cristóbal Balenciaga, who became his mentor, and then, landed a job with Lanvin in Paris. Soon after, he moved to New York City.

The revered designer launched his own label in 1965 and soon caught the eye of former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy. Other first ladies including Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton would follow suit, as well as a bevy of A-list stars, from Amy Adams to Sandra Bullock to Jessica Biel and countless others.

He also launched a successful bridal line, and most recently, designed a wedding gown for

The fashion designer is survived by his wife, Annette, and a son, Moises, as well as stepchildren and step-grandchildren.

Additional Report from USA Today.