Carlos Fuentes, Mexican Author Of 'Terra Nostra,' 'The Old Gringo,' Dies At 83

Carlos Fuentes, the Mexican author of famous works such as Terra Nostra and The Death of Artemio Cruz, has died. He was 83.

President Felipe Calderón tweeted the news of Fuentes' death in Spanish on Tuesday, Reuters reported. His tweet translates to I deeply lament the passing of our beloved and admired Carlos Fuentes, universal writer and Mexican. Rest in peace.

Fuentes died in a Mexican hospital, according to a report in El Universal.

Fuentes was born in 1928 in Panama City to Mexican parents. His father's work as a diplomat took the author, who also served as a diplomat for a time, around Latin America and the world.

Fuentes appeared on Charlie Rose's talk show just last year to promote his book Destiny and Desire. Then 82, he said he was going strong and knocked on the table.

He said that writing had become somewhat easier as he got older.

I'm a writer and when I was very young I had the fear of the blank page, the white page facing you like a monster, he said. Now I don't have that.