Famous for resisting the American nation at the height of its powers during the Cold War era, Fidel was synonymous with the tiny nation and almost always at the centre of a controversy. 

He had been battling ill-health for a while, which had forced him to retire from public office and cede power to the current incumbent, Raul Castro.

Immortalised in many film and novels, Castro was a staunch Communist and very much anti-US during the early days of his tenure at least.

His habit of always smoking a Cuban cigar was aped by many around the world, and the fact that he survived multiple assassination attempts by the CIA only added to his legend.

He is survived by his wife, Dalia Soto del Valle, and nine children from his two marriages.