Former Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid Hurtado died Sunday morning at age 77 in Mexico City from emphysema, according to press reports.
De La Madrid was president from 1982 to 1988, a period marked by an economic crisis and the devastating earthquake that struck Mexico City in September of 1985.
President Felipe Calderón expressed condolences to his family through Twitter.
"I profoundly regret the death of former President Miguel De La Madrid. He faced difficult adversities during his government. May he rest in peace," Calderón wrote.
De La Madrid, who had been gravely ill for months, died in Hospital Español at 7:21 a.m. local time.
A wake will be held at his house Sunday evening in the Mexico City neighborhood of Coyoacán, according to El Universal's website.
Previous to being president, De la Madrid was deputy director of the Treasury Department and of the national oil monopoly Pemex. He directed the Fondo de Cultura Económica in 1990.
editorial@sandiegored.com