Ariel Sharon dies at 85: Former Israeli prime minister epitomized country’s ‘Warrior’ past

View Photo Gallery — Former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon dies at 85: The 11th prime minister of Israel has been in a permanent vegetative state after suffering a stroke in January 2006. He died Jan. 11. He was 85.

Ariel Sharon, who died Jan. 11 of vital organ failure after lingering for nearly eight years in a vegetative state after a massive stroke, was a monumental figure in Israel’s modern history who epitomized the country’s warrior past even as he sought to become the architect of a peaceful future.

His death, at 85, was confirmed to the AP by his son Gilad Sharon and Dr. Shlomo Noy of The Shedba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer near Tel Aviv.

Culled from The Washington Post.