Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has died. He was 99.
In a statement, the Supreme Court said he died over complications from a stroke he had a day before. It said he passed peacefully with his daughters by his side at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Stevens served on the court for more than three decades before retiring in 2010. He was the third longest-serving justice in the history of the U.S. Supreme Court.
During his tenure, Stevens was a strong voice for abortion rights and protections for the LGBTQ community.
He was good at building majorities and used his influence and long career to persuade other justices to side with him.
After retiring from the Supreme Court at age 90, Stevens published three books. President Barack Obama also awarded Stevens the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
He is survived by his two daughters, Elizabeth and Susan, his nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
