International pop icon Prince has died aged 57, his publicist confirmed.

The Purple Rain singer died in his Paisley Park home in Minnesota a week after he briefly hospitalized with the flu.

Prince Rogers Nelson, more commonly known by his mononym Prince, wrote hundred of hit songs for both himself and other musicians and released a massive 39 studio albums throughout his career, four of which came in just the last 18 months. His hits included Little Red Corvette, Let’s Go Crazy and When Doves Cry.

Among the hits he penned that were brought to fame by other artists was Sinéad O'Conner's "Nothing Compares 2 U" which he first recorded in 1985 with his funk band "The Family."

Last week, the singer had been briefly hospitalized in Illinois, cancelling two shows because of a flu emergency.

Police reported they were investigating a death at Prince’s estate this morning but withheld the deceased’s identity until family had been notified.

Prince’s death was confirmed this afternoon. He died in his home in Minnesota, the state in which he was born and raised.

“It is with profound sadness that I am confirming that the legendary, iconic performer, Prince Rogers Nelson, has died at his Paisley Park residence this morning at the age of 57,” said Yvette Noel-Schure, a publicist for the musician.

Applauded as one of the best-selling recording artists in music history, Prince had a wide-ranging career of over four decades and his memoir was set to be released in Fall 2017. “We’re starting from the beginning from my first memory and hopefully we can go all the way up to the Super Bowl,” Prince said of the book.

Born Prince Rogers Nelson in 1958 he won seven Grammys, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for the original score to his 1984 film “Purple Rain” throughout his career and was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004.

He made his breakthrough in the late 1970s with “Wanna Be Your Lover” but it was with his albums “1999” and “Purple Rain,” often cited as one of the best albums ever, that he made his mark in music history.

He played his last show in Ireland in Malahide in 2011.

The sudden death of the seven-time Grammy-Award winner has been met with shock in Ireland and around the world as tributes pour in for the singer. Events are already popping up this evening to listen to and celebrate his music.

Words fail with a loss of this magnitude. Prince was a rare genius, & despite news reports will absolutely live forever. Thanks for the joy

— Hozier (@Hozier) April 21, 2016

Prince was brilliant and larger than life. What a sad day.

— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) April 21, 2016

the greatest run of albums to ever exist was Prince/Dirty Mind/Controversy/1999/Purple Rain. The word genius doesn't come close. God like

— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) April 21, 2016

I just turned on Zane Lowes show and straight up burst into tears. Nothing Compares 2 U

— JamesVincentMcMorrow (@jamesvmcmorrow) April 21, 2016

Now cracks a noble heart.
Good night sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.
- Hamlet, act 5 scene 2

— Samuel West (@exitthelemming) April 21, 2016

Tonight at 8pm, @talldanhegarty presents a 2 hour #Prince special

Remembering a legend#RIPPrince pic.twitter.com/dwY8exRuQq

— RTÉ 2fm (@RTE2fm) April 21, 2016