Former Argentine President Kirchner dies of heart attack

Former Argentine President Kirchner dies of heart attack

2010-10-27 21:23:46 GMT+7 (ICT)

BUENOS AIRES (BNO NEWS) -- Former Argentine President Nestor Kirchner died of a heart attack on Wednesday, a hospital official said. He was 60 years old.

Kirchner was rushed to Jose Formenti hospital in El Calafate, a town in the Patagonia region of Argentina, on early Wednesday morning after complaining of chest pain. He died shortly later, at 9.30 a.m. local time, as the result of what is believed to be a heart attack.

Kirchner had a history of cardiovascular disease and underwent successful emergency surgery on one of his carotid arteries in February. On September 12, he underwent a medical procedure to place a stent in one of his heart arteries.

Kirchner leaves two sons, Max, 32, and Florence, 19, from his marriage to Cristina Fernandez, whom he met while both were studying law at the University of La Plata, south of the capital of Buenos Aires. Both were members of the Peronism political movement in the 70's.

He was three times the governor of Santa Fe province, before winning the presidency.

Kirchner, a national lawmaker, husband and top adviser of current President Cristina Fernandez, was one of the most influential politicians in the country and a potential presidential candidate for elections in October next year, although the ruling party had not yet decided on his candidate.

Kirchner, who served as the 54th President of Argentina from May 25, 2003 to December 10, 2007, was also serving as Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations at the time of his death.

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