Pop Superstar George Michael Dead at 53

2016 has seen the loss of too many music icons, and sadly, there's yet another to add to the list. It was announced today that George Michael passed away this week at the age of 53. Michael's publicist, Connie Filippello, confirmed his death in a statement. "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. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage."

Born Georgios Panayiotou, Michael sold over 100 million albums over his decades-long career performing with Wham! and as a solo artist. Though Michael is best-known for singles like "Wake Me Up (Before You Go Go)", "Faith," and "Freedom," the fact that his death falls at Christmas gives a more somber meaning to one of our personal favorite holiday pop songs, Wham!'s "Last Christmas."

Michael passed in Goring, England with heart failure cited as the cause.