Jean, the grand duke of Luxembourg, a decorated combat veteran of World War II whose 36-year reign coincided with a period of great prosperity for his country, died on Tuesday in Luxembourg. He was 98.

His eldest son and the current head of state, the Grand Duke Henri, confirmed his father’s death, at a hospital, where he had been admitted 10 days earlier for treatment of a lung infection.

“It is a family man who has left us today,” Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said in a statement on Tuesday. “A great statesman, a hero, a role model — and a lovely and kindhearted man.”

Jean took the throne when his mother, Grand Duchess Charlotte, abdicated in 1964. He, in turn, abdicated in favor of Henri in 2000.