Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolutionary leader who built a communist state on the doorstep of the United States and for five decades defied U.S. efforts to topple him, died Friday, state-run Cuban Television said. He was 90.
Castro had been in poor health since an intestinal ailment nearly killed him in 2006.
The bearded Castro took power in a 1959 revolution and ruled Cuba for 49 years with a mix of charisma and iron will, creating a one-party state and becoming a central figure in the Cold War.