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Oscar de la Renta, Legendary Clothing Designer, Dies at 82

The fashion icon passed away after a long battle with cancer.

The fashion world has lost an icon. Oscar de la Renta died at the age of 82 on Monday night after a long battle with cancer. Bold and original in his design aesthetic, de la Renta borrowed from his Dominican background, infusing high fashion with Latin culture.

De la Renta grew up as the only son of seven children in a middle-class household in Santo Domingo. He quickly rose to fame in the 1960s when he dressed First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, and, soon after, launched his ready-to-wear label in 1965 in New York. The designer was also a popular choice on the red carpet. Throughout the years, his elegant creations were worn by Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, Sarah Jessica Parker, Penélope Cruz and many more.

In addition, he dressed First Lady Nancy Reagan, and provided the gowns for inaugural events for both Hillary Clinton and Laura Bush. First Lady Michelle Obama also wore one of the designer's creations earlier this month for the first time.

De la Renta was married twice. His first wife, Francoise de Langlade, died in 1983 of bone cancer. Shortly after her death, he adopted a son from a Dominican Republic orphanage. He is survived by his second wife, socialite Annette Engelhard Reed, 74, whom he married in 1989.

The iconic designer was diagnosed with cancer in 2006, but said in an interview last year with the International Business Times that he was "totally clean" of the disease and not at all interested in retirement.

The fashion world will never be the same. Our condolences to de la Renta's fans, friends and family.

Watch Kevin Hart in a new episode of Real Husbands of Hollywood every Tuesday, 10P/9C.

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(Photo: AP Photo/Diane Bondareff, File)

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