AceShowbiz - Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has died of COVID complications.

The Republican politician, who helped shape U.S. foreign policy during the late 20th/early 21st century, was fully vaccinated against coronavirus, his family confirmed.

They said in a statement, "General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19."

"We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American. (sic)"

He was 84 years old.

Powell, a highly decorated army officer who served in Vietnam, became the first Black national security adviser during the end of Ronald Reagan's presidency.

He went on to become the youngest and first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President George H.W. Bush.

Powell hit peak popularity in the mid-1990s following the U.S.-led coalition victory during the Gulf War and was hotly tipped to become the first Black President of the United States.

However, his reputation faltered when, under Bush's leadership, he pushed faulty intelligence before the United Nations to advocate for the Iraq War. He later called the incident a "blot" on his record, reported CNN.

He later grew disillusioned with the Republican Party's views and went on to help elect Democrats to the White House, most notably Barack Obama, the U.S.'s first Black President.

Powell is survived by his wife, Alma Powell, whom he married in 1962, as well as three children.