Rob Ford, Former Toronto Mayor, Dead at 46

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Rob Ford, the pugnacious, populist former mayor of Toronto whose career crashed in a drug-driven, obscenity-laced debacle, died Tuesday after fighting cancer, his family says.

"With heavy hearts and profound sadness, the Ford family announces the passing of their beloved son, brother, husband, and father, Councillor Rob Ford earlier today at the age of 46," his office said in a statement to ET. "A dedicated man of the people, Councillor Ford spent his life serving the citizens of Toronto. ...The family asks that you respect their privacy and join them in their grieving and their prayers."


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But his tenure as mayor of the country's largest city was marred by revelations about his drinking problems and illegal drug use. He was repeatedly videotaped and photographed while intoxicated in public.

Ford refused to step down as mayor despite months of scandal and an admission he used crack cocaine while in a "drunken stupor."

His statements and actions became nightly fodder for TV comedians and an embarrassment to many of the suburbanites he championed. Nevertheless, he was later elected by a landslide to a city council seat.

Doug Ford Sr., the mayor's farther, died of colon cancer in 2006. -- CBS News