Senator Edward M. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, one of the most influential senators in the history of the U.S. died Tuesday night at age 77 after a battle with brain cancer.

Kennedy died at his home on Cape Cod. He was acknowledged as the last surviving brother in one of America's greatest political family and a pillar for the Democratic Party. He spent almost 50 years in the Senate serving alongside 10 presidents including President John F. Kennedy, his brother.

An important chapter in our history has come to an end. Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States Senator of our time. And the Kennedy family has lost their patriarch, a tower of strength and support through good times and bad, said President Barack Obama in a statement Wednesday morning.

Kennedy's death arrives in the midst of a Health Care debate where Democrats seek to answer a call from President Barack Obama to reform the health care system.

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