Rob Ford's death makes headlines around the world
From the New York Times to the BBC, here's what international media is saying
Media outlets around the world are reacting to the death of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, who died this morning after battling cancer since 2014.
The news of his death is making world headlines — from the major news networks and gossip sites in the United States to media outlets in China.
- Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor, dead at 46
- Rob Ford mourned online by politicians and citizens across Canada
- A timeline of Rob Ford's health troubles
Here's a look at what the international media are saying.
United States
Rob Ford, the controversial ex-mayor of Toronto, dead at 46 <a href="https://t.co/86DYxHoabl">https://t.co/86DYxHoabl</a> <a href="https://t.co/6jiTYam1ZZ">pic.twitter.com/6jiTYam1ZZ</a>
—@nytimes
In the Los Angeles Times' obituary, Ford was deemed "an unwitting superstar."
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford, whose career crashed in a drug-driven debacle, dies at age 46 after fighting cancer <a href="https://t.co/2O34qBG0QX">https://t.co/2O34qBG0QX</a>
—@latimes
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford dies after battle with cancer <a href="https://t.co/d9dfe76UAu">https://t.co/d9dfe76UAu</a>
—@washingtonpost
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Toronto?src=hash">#Toronto</a> ex-Mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RobFord?src=hash">#RobFord</a> dies, chief of staff Dan Jacobs says. He was 46. <a href="https://t.co/pMqc5w80O6">https://t.co/pMqc5w80O6</a> <a href="https://t.co/wz46CCzfnP">pic.twitter.com/wz46CCzfnP</a>
—@cnnbrk
Several U.S. celebrity news and gossip sites wrote tributes as well.
The outlets helped propel Ford to international celebrity status when news of his drug and alcohol use in office first broke.
Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor with a reality TV persona, dies at 46 <a href="https://t.co/4RrQWC67jR">https://t.co/4RrQWC67jR</a> <a href="https://t.co/lyR5KZuXO4">pic.twitter.com/lyR5KZuXO4</a>
—@THR
Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford has died at the age of 46. <a href="https://t.co/XYyAj3NMek">https://t.co/XYyAj3NMek</a> <a href="https://t.co/1vFVIQTnJf">pic.twitter.com/1vFVIQTnJf</a>
—@Gawker
Rob Ford, the controversial former Toronto mayor, has died at age 46 <a href="https://t.co/LVHy2qwKXJ">https://t.co/LVHy2qwKXJ</a> <a href="https://t.co/VEocflo0T0">pic.twitter.com/VEocflo0T0</a>
—@RollingStone
Even late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel offered condolences. In 2014, Ford made a memorable appearance on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, when the comedian ridiculed him and ended the interview suggesting he get personal help.
Condolences to the family and fans of <a href="https://twitter.com/TorontoRobFord">@TorontoRobFord</a> - an unforgettable guy who loved his job and city like few men I've met.
—@jimmykimmel
Europe
Ford's death made headlines on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. The news played just below coverage of the deadly attacks in Belgium.
Rob Ford, the former mayor of Toronto, dies aged 46 <a href="https://t.co/aHvqsx79u7">https://t.co/aHvqsx79u7</a> <a href="https://t.co/kPlywqHH34">pic.twitter.com/kPlywqHH34</a>
—@BBCBreaking
Rob Ford, former Toronto mayor, dies aged 46 <a href="https://t.co/H06g0oBFLd">https://t.co/H06g0oBFLd</a>
—@guardian
L’ancien maire de Toronto, Rob Ford, est mort <a href="https://t.co/FyTlzeJi0i">https://t.co/FyTlzeJi0i</a>
—@lemondefr
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BREAKING?src=hash">#BREAKING</a>: Former Toronto mayor Rob Ford dies after fighting cancer <a href="https://t.co/JnPORxGrNx">https://t.co/JnPORxGrNx</a> <a href="https://t.co/PYSxepnGWp">pic.twitter.com/PYSxepnGWp</a>
—@Telegraph
Asia
The death even made its way into some Asian media outlets.
BREAKING: Former Toronto Mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RobFord?src=hash">#RobFord</a> dies at 46 after battling cancer since 2014, his family confirms <a href="https://t.co/86B396ItJi">pic.twitter.com/86B396ItJi</a>
—@XHNews
Breaking: Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford dies after struggling with cancer <a href="https://t.co/QNJLu2riTf">https://t.co/QNJLu2riTf</a>
—@WSJAsia