Tributes pour in for Gabriel Garcia Marquez

The cause of death was not revealed but Garcia Marquez had been hospitalised for pneumonia on March 31 and discharged a week later to recover at his Mexico City home.

His wife Mercedes and two sons were reportedly by his side at home when he died. The family said his body would be cremated, and officials announced a public tribute will be held in Mexico City on Monday.

Born March 6, 1927, in the village of Aracataca on Colombia's Caribbean coast, Garcia Marquez was the son of a telegraph operator.

He was raised by his grandparents and aunts in a tropical culture influenced by the heritage of Spanish settlers, indigenous populations and black slaves. His grandfather was a retired colonel.

The exotic legends of his homeland inspired him to write profusely. His masterpiece, "One Hundred Years of Solitude," was translated into 35 languages and sold over 30 million copies.