At 61, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, former Philippine President, dies

Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III (former Philippine President, and the son to two of Asia's most prominent democracy icons) has died at the age of just 61. His family announced on Thursday that he had died from renal failure due to diabetes.

At 61, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, former Philippine President, dies

His sister Pinky Aquino Abellada declared, "Mission accomplished Noy." "Be happy with Dad and Mom."

Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr., Aquino's father, was assassinated upon his return to the United States in 1983. His death sparked a movement that led to the 1986 rebellion that overthrew the Marcos dictatorship.

Corazon Aquino Aquino was Aquino's mother and became the first female leader of the country.

Aquino claimed that he had never dreamed of becoming president. However, Corazon's passing in 2009 brought his relatives back to the political podium. He ran on the platform of good governance and won with a clear majority. From 2010 to 2016, he was the Philippine President.

With an overwhelming mandate to eradicate corruption, he went after his predecessor, Gloria Macapagall-Arroyo. Arroyo was arrested on corruption charges and was released two months later after Rodrigo Duterte was elected.