Princess Margaret died on February 9, 2002, at the age of 71. Her death followed a series of strokes; she suffered her fourth and fatal stroke shortly before her passing. She developed cardiac problems during the night after the stroke and died peacefully in her sleep at King Edward VII Hospital with her children by her side. Her health issues in later years were largely due to heavy smoking and drinking, which had led to serious illnesses including the removal of part of her left lung in 1985 and several strokes from 1998 onward.
