Pulitzer-prize winning analyst and best-selling author, Charles Krauthammer, has died. He was 68

Famed Pulitzer-prize winning Fox News commentator, Charles Krauthammer, has died. He was 68.

His death comes just two weeks after he revealed in an open letter he didn't have much longer to live in his battle with cancer on June 8.

'I have been uncharacteristically silent these past ten months. I had thought that silence would soon be coming to an end, but I’m afraid I must tell you now that fate has decided on a different course for me,' he said in the letter.

'My doctors tell me their best estimate is that I have only a few weeks left to live. This is the final verdict. My fight is over,' he added.

The longtime Fox News contributor gave the harrowing announcement that his cancer had returned despite undergoing surgery last August when he had a cancerous tumor in his abdomen removed.

It was a successful surgery, but he was left in the hospital for months fighting 'secondary complications'.

The cause of death was cancer of the small intestine, his son, Daniel, told the Washington Post. Last month, Krauthammer had shared a hopeful message with his Fox colleague, Bret Baier.

For months Special Report anchor Baier had offered occasional updates on Krauthammer's health.

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The longtime Fox News contributor gave the harrowing announcement that his cancer had returned despite undergoing surgery last August, when he had a cancerous tumor in his abdomen removed

The political analyst (pictured in 2015) had been absent from the spotlight for nearly a year, taking a break from Fox News' Special Report as well as the Washington Post, where he has worked since 1984

In Baier's last update in May he shared a hopeful message from Krauthammer saying: 'The worst now appears to be behind me'.

Krauthammer had been absent from the spotlight for nearly a year, taking a break from Fox News' Special Report as well as the Washington Post, where he has worked since 1984.

Following the tragic news of Krauthammer's death, numerous tributes poured in from his former colleagues and prominent individuals across the political spectrum.

'We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend ... A gifted doctor and brilliant political commentator, Charles was a guiding voice throughout his time with Fox News and we were incredibly fortunate to showcase his extraordinary talent on our programs,' Suzanne Scott, CEO of Fox News, said in a statement.

Former president George W. Bush shared a photo along with a heartfelt tribute to Krauthammer on Instagram.

'Laura Bush and I are deeply saddened by the loss of an intellectual giant and dear friend, Charles Krauthammer.

'For decades, Charles’ words have strengthened our democracy. His work was far-reaching and influential - and while his voice will be deeply missed, his ideas and values will always be a part of our country. We send our thoughts and prayers to Robby, Daniel, and the entire Krauthammer family,' Bush wrote.

Vice President Mike Pence said Krauthammer will be remembered for 'his eloquence, his triumph in hardship, and his countless contributions to American political thought'.

'Karen & I send our condolences and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time,' he added.

Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, hailed Krauthammer as 'one of the great thinkers of our time'.

'A giant in his intellect and his character. A good and gracious man. And a dear friend. This is such a loss. Our prayers are with his family, friends, and colleagues,' Ryan wrote.

Following the tragic news of Krauthammer's death, numerous tributes poured in from his former colleagues and prominent individuals across the political spectrum. Former president George W Bush shared this photo of himself, his wife, Laura Bush and Krauthammer

Vice President Mike Pence said Krauthammer will be remembered for 'his eloquence, his triumph in hardship, and his countless contributions to American political thought'

Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, hailed Krauthammer as 'one of the great thinkers of our time'

Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell shared a statement on Twitter praising Krauthammer as a 'public intellectual in the truest sense'

Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell shared a statement on Twitter praising Krauthammer as a 'public intellectual in the truest sense'.

'His pen functioned like a lighthouse, helping all of us see more clearly and reason more thoroughly through the most important issues that our nation faced,' McConnell added.

Washington Post editor-in-chief, Martin Baron, tweeted: 'A huge loss to vigorous and civil debate on public policy.'

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer shared his thoughts on Twitter as well.

'Very sad to learn of the passing of Charles @krauthammer. He was a thoughtful and intelligent voice that will be missed Rest in Peace,' Spicer wrote.

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, also shared a tribute on Twitter.

'Charles Krauthammer was always fair and balanced. An iconic conservative of courageous thoughtfulness, unique insight, and profound wisdom, America is stronger because of his voice. Fair winds, following seas and God bless,' Zinke tweeted.

Meghan McCain, who's father, Sen John McCain Senator is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, lamented the news on Twitter.

Former White House press secretary Sean Spicer shared his thoughts on Twitter as well

Meghan McCain, who's father, Sen John McCain Senator is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, lamented the news on Twitter

Fox News Chief political anchor, Bret Baier, called Krauthammer his 'good friend' in the tweet above

'Gutted by this news. The greatest political commentator of my generation - a true conservative icon. I will miss him and his commentary terribly. Sending the entire Krauthammer family my strength and prayers,' she wrote.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio called Krauthammer 'a man of extraordinary intellect'.

'Truly one of a kind. The conservative movement & the nation will miss his incredible insight, especially in times such as these. We offer our deepest condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace,' Rubio added.

Fox News Chief political anchor, Baier said of his 'good friend': 'I am sure you will be owning the panel discussion in heaven as well. And we’ll make sure your wise words and thoughts - your legacy - will live on here.'

'The great Charles Krauthammer has died. We’ve lost a national treasure,' Megyn Kelly tweeted.

Piers Morgan also tweeted: 'RIP Charles Krauthammer. A brilliant political analyst. Loved his commentaries, which were always fair, balanced, intelligent & insightful. A great loss in these echo chamber times.'

Krauthammer, a New Yorker, was born in 1950 and made a name for himself in writing and medicine.

FORMER COLLEAGUES AND POLITICAL FIGURES PAY TRIBUTE TO CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER Charles Krauthammer passed away at the age of 68 on Thursday Following the tragic news of Krauthammer's death, numerous tributes poured in from his former colleagues and prominent individuals across the political spectrum. 'He was such a decent man. His commentary was principled and piercing. What a loss.' - CNN political analyst David Gregory 'No greater master of the form.' - New York Times columnist Ross Douthat 'A loss of wisdom and talent.' - Nikki Haley, the US ambassador to the United Nations 'One of baseball's greatest fans - Charles Krauthammer - passed away today ... He was loved and admired by many and will be truly missed here at Nationals Park.' - The Washington Nationals Major League Baseball 'Very sad to report the death of Charles Krauthammer - award winning journalist and a courageous, caring man.' - Judy Woodruff, anchor of PBS Newshour 'Terribly sad news. The great Charles Krauthammer has died.' - Brit Hume, political analyst for Fox News 'We have lost a great mind, a great conservative and a great American. I, like millions of Americans, will miss the wit and wisdom of Charles Krauthammer.' - Sen Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania 'Charles Krauthammer's columns and commentary shaped American politics for generations.' - CNN media analyst Brian Stelter 'A remarkable man, whom we all shall miss.' - Actor James Woods 'Everyone at Fox News is saddened to report that our dear friend - a giant of our industry - Charles Krauthammer has passed away.' - John Roberts, Fox News chief White House correspondent Advertisement

His father, Shulim Krauthammer, was Austro-Hungarian and his mother, Thea, was born in Belgium. The couple met in Cuba.

He received his bachelor's degree in political science and economics at McGill University in Montreal and went on to study politics at Oxford, where he met his wife, Robyn.

Krauthammer then switched gears to study medicine at Harvard Medical School.

It was during his first year there at the age of 22 he got into a diving board accident that left him permanently paralyzed from the neck down.

He has used a wheelchair ever since.

'I hit my head on the bottom of the pool. The amazing thing is that there wasn't even a cut on my head. It just hit at precisely the angle where all the force was transmitted to one spot and that is the cervical vertebra which severed the spinal cord,' he said in a Fox interview in 2013.

Krauthammer (center) was an influential voice among Republicans, through his syndicated column and his appearances on Fox News and elsewhere

Krauthammer (pictured in 1985), a New Yorker, was born in 1950 and made a name for himself in writing and medicine

Krauthammer is survived by his wife and 32-year-old son, Daniel (left and right)

'The second it happened, I knew exactly what happened. I knew why I wasn't able to move. And I knew what that meant,' he added.

In a Fox News special about his life, Krauthammer said he never dwelled on the day he hit the bottom of that swimming pool.

'I made one promise to myself on day one - I was not going to allow it to alter my life,' he said. 'On the big things in life, the direction of my life, what I was going to do, that wouldn't change at all.'

After 14 months of recovery he returned to Harvard and graduated in the class of 1975 as a psychiatrist. He then worked as a psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital, also studying manic depression.

Krauthammer later moved to DC for psychiatric research for the administration of Jimmy Carter, who he later would call a failed president, and drifted away from psychiatry.

'I leave this life with no regrets,' Krauthammer wrote in his farewell statement

He became a speechwriter for Carter's vice president, Walter Mondale, before writing opinion pieces for The New Republic and Time magazine. He then joined The New Republic as a writer and editor.

In 1984 he joined the Washington Post where his critical column awarded him the Commentary Pulitzer Prize in 1987.

Krauthammer was an influential voice among Republicans, through his syndicated column and his appearances on Fox News and elsewhere.

He was known for a dour expression, wry humor and sharp intellect.

In 2006, the Financial Times named him the most influential commentator in the United States.

Krauthammer gave mixed reviews to President Donald Trump, questioning his 'loud and bombastic' approach to the job and calling him a charlatan while praising actions such as withdrawing from the Paris climate accord and nominating Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

He had been a leading critic of President Barack Obama and what Krauthammer perceived as his 'social democratic agenda,' while supporting George W. Bush's intervention in the Middle East.

Krauthammer also liked President Ronald Reagan's stand against communism and popularized the term 'Reagan Doctrine' to describe it.

He had been married to his wife Robyn Krauthammer for 44 years and has a 32-year-old son, Daniel Krauthammer, who survive him. In his free time, Krauthammer enjoyed baseball and chess.

'I leave this life with no regrets,' Krauthammer wrote in his farewell statement.

'It was a wonderful life... I am sad to leave but I leave with the knowledge that I lived the life that I intended.'