Colin Powell has passed away at the age of 84 following complications of Covid-19, The Guardian reports.

A true trailblazer, Powell was known in the US as the country's first Black secretary of state - a role that he served in under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005.

The retired politician, who was fully vaccinated against coronavirus, had received treatment for Covid at Walter Reed national medical center in Bethesda, Maryland.

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The four-star general's family announced his passing today (October 18) on Powell's official Facebook account, writing: "General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19. He was fully vaccinated."

They added: "We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed National Medical Center for their caring treatment. We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great American."

[[imagecaption|| Powell with President George W. Bush in 2002. Credit: Abaca Press / Alamy]]

Responding to the tragic news, Bush said in a statement today per CNN that Powell was "a great public servant" who was "such a favorite of Presidents that he earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- twice. He was highly respected at home and abroad. And most important, Colin was a family man and a friend."

Powell said of his own nomination as secretary of state during his Senate confirmation hearing: "I think it shows to the world what is possible in this country.

"It shows to the world that: Follow our model, and over a period of time from our beginning if you believe in the values that espouse, you can see things as miraculous as me sitting before you to receive your approval."

In 2008, Powell parted ways with the Republican party to endorse Barack Obama, who won the election against GOP candidate John McCain.

Powell is survived by his wife, Alma Vivian (Johnson) Powell - to whom he had been married since 1962 - in addition to his three children.

Our thoughts are with Powell's family and friends at this time.

This is a developing story, more to follow...

Featured image credit: Bob Daemmrich / Alamy

Colin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state, dies aged 84