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Ex-Wham! member and London-born singer and songwriter George Michael died from heart failure while lying in bed at home on Sunday, according to his manager Michael Lippman. He was 53. Michael was born Georgios Kyriacos Panayitou in 1963. He was a member of the pop duo Wham! from 1981 to 1986. Wham! sold more than 25 million albums. Michael was known for his startling good looks and charismatic stage presence. He formed Wham! with school friend Andrew Ridgeley. Helped by MTV, the cheerful duo easily crossed the Atlantic to become popular in the United States. As a solo artist, he developed into a more serious singer and songwriter, lauded by critics for his tremendous vocal range. Michael sold more than 80 million records worldwide.. His first album, "Faith," sold more than 20 million copies. Billboard magazine named Michael the 40th most successful artist on its Hot 100 Top All Time Artists List in 2008. His many hits included "Careless Whisper," "Freedom" and "Father Figure." Michael was named the most played artist on British radio from 1984 to 2004 by the Radio Academy. Singer Elton John paid his condolences to Michael on Instagram in a meaningful post, calling the artist "the kindest, most generous soul." In 1991, Michael and John joined musical forces with a live rendition of John's 1974 hit "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me." The performance reached number one on the Billboard Top 100 the following year. "It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period. The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage," Michael's publicist said. Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service arrived at a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 1:42 GMT, according to BBC. In 2009, Michael was involved in a car accident with a truck while driving his Range Rover. The singer said the experience altered his perspective. "If that juggernaut had killed me, I think I'd be perfectly happy with the amount of quality music I have left in the world. My ego is sated," he told the Guardian.