Diego Verdaguer.Photo: Eyepix/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Diego Verdaguer

Argentinian singer Diego Verdaguer has died, reportedly ofCOVID-19complications. He was 70.

Verdaguer died Thursday at a hospital in Los Angeles, a rep for Verdaguer confirmed to PEOPLE. The singer’s family announced his death in a message posted onInstagramandTwitterFriday.

“It’s with absolute sadness that we inform all of his fans and friends that our beloved Diego left his body today to continue his journey and creativity in another form of eternal life,” the message reads, perBillboard. “His entire family is submerged in this pain, which is why we ask for your comprehension in these difficult times.”

Verdaguer was first diagnosed with COVID-19 in December, and had been hospitalized, according toThe Associated Press. Local outletAgencia EFE reportshe succumbed to complications from the disease.

Verdaguer was born in Buenos Aires in 1951, according to the AP. He released his first single, “Lejos del Amor,” when he was just 17 years old. Verdaguer later moved to Mexico in 1980, and held both Argentinian and Mexican citizenships.

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Diego Verdaguer.Victor Chavez/Getty Images

Diego Verdaguer

Verdaguer enjoyed a successful, 50-plus-year career, which included multiple hits like “Volvere,” “Corazón de Papel,” “Tonta,” “Ladrona,” and “Voy a Conquistarte,” perBillboard.

Two of his tracks — “Estoy Celoso” and “No Es Tan Facil” landed on the Billboard HotLatinSongs chart.

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Verdaguer was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2009 for his work onMexicano Hasta Las Pampas,according to Billboard. He received a second nod for best ranchero album after the release ofMexicano Hasta Las Pampas 2.

Verdaguer often collaborated with his wife, singer Amanda Miguel, and the two went on tour together in 2018, perBillboard. Their daughter, Ana Victoria, who is also a singer, performed alongside them for 10 dates on the “Siempre Juntos” tour.

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source: people.com