The reggae and soul hit maker, whose songs included 1970 classic You Can Get It If You Really Want and 1969's Many Rivers To Cross, suffered a seizure followed by pneumonia, his wife Latifa said on Monday.
He is survived by his spouse and children, Lilty and Aken.
"It's with profound sadness that I share that my husband, Jimmy Cliff, has crossed over due to a seizure followed by pneumonia," a statement on his official Facebook page said.
"I am thankful for his family, friends, fellow artists and coworkers who have shared his journey with him.
"To all his fans around the world, please know that your support was his strength throughout his whole career. He really appreciated each and every fan for their love.
"I also wanted to thank Dr Couceyro and the whole medical staff, as they have been extremely supportive and helpful during this difficult process.
"Jimmy, my darling, may you rest in peace. I will follow your wishes."
Many Rivers To Cross was famously covered by the likes of Annie Lennox, UB40 and Cher.
Cliff won Grammys for his 1985 album Cliff Hanger and 2012's Rebirth.
Born James Chambers on July 30, 1944 during a hurricane in St James Parish, northwestern Jamaica, he moved in the 1950s from the family farm to the country's capital Kingston with his father, determined to succeed in the music industry.
At just 14 he became famous in Jamaica for the song Hurricane Hattie, which he wrote.
Cliff would go on to record more than 30 albums and perform all over the world, including in Paris, in Brazil and at the World's Fair, an international exhibition held in New York in 1964.
The following year, Island Records' Chris Blackwell, the producer who launched Bob Marley and the Wailers, invited Cliff to work in the United Kingdom with him.
Cliff famously covered Johnny Cash's I Can See Clearly Now for the 1993 Disney film Cool Runnings, starring the late John Candy.
As well as being a singer, he also took on a role in the 1972 flick The Harder They Come, which helped reggae reach global heights, and the 1986 US comedy Club Paradise, starring Robin Williams, Twiggy and Peter O'Toole.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
At the time of his death, the Jamaican artist was the only living reggae musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievements in the arts and sciences.
with Reuters
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