MANILA, Philippines — Former President Corazon Aquino, who swept away a dictator with a "people power" revolt and sustained democracy by fighting off seven coup attempts in six years, died on Saturday, her son said. She was 76.
The uprising she led in 1986 ended the repressive 20-year regime of Ferdinand Marcos and inspired nonviolent protests across the globe, including those that ended communist rule in eastern Europe. Aquino rose to power after the 1983 assassination of her husband, opposition leader Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.
She was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer last year and confined to a Manila hospital for more than a month. Her son said the cancer had spread to other organs and she was too weak to continue chemotherapy.
For the past month, supporters have been holding daily prayers for Aquino in churches.
"She was headstrong and single-minded in one goal, and that was to remove all vestiges of an entrenched dictatorship," Raul C. Pangalangan, former dean of the College of Law at the University of the Philippines, said earlier this month. "We all owe her in a big way."
But Aquino struggled in office to meet high public expectations. Her land redistribution program fell short of ending economic domination by the landed elite, including her own family. Her leadership, especially in social and economic reform, was often indecisive, leaving many of her closest allies disillusioned by the end of her term.
Still, the bespectacled, smiling woman in her trademark yellow dress remained beloved in the Philippines, where she was affectionately referred to as "Tita (Auntie) Cory."
Her son, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, said she died at 3:18 a.m. Saturday (1918 GMT Friday). Requiem Masses were scheduled for later Saturday, and yellow ribbons were tied on trees around her neighborhood in Quezon city.
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Dear Tita Cory,
You were and will always remain an amazing woman. It's so sad to see you pass. Your husband was murdered and yet you found the strength to push forward and fight the good fight. What you did was remarkable and the world will never forget it. The Filipino people are forever indebted to you. I pray for you and your wonderful husband who is so missed and remembered. Tita Cory, you represent so much in this world that is good and decent. Yes some will look upon your time as President and say this and that.... BUT look what you inherited from Ferdinand and Imelda! What a superb human being you were always putting the Filpino people first despite the devastation you must have felt when Ninoy was shot on the tarmac. You never had the opportunity to say good bye to him.
I hope you two will be re united in heaven.
I really do.
Thank you Cory for being you.
The world is better off because of your shining tribute to life and survival and purpose and love for your fellow man and woman.
Good bye and may God take you back in his open warm arms.
Bless your family and loved ones.
Bless the Philippines and all it peoples.
From the bottom of my heart.
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