At Jimmy Buffett's death Sir Paul McCartney reveals special bond

For at least one weekend all the world was "Margaritaville". Many are mourning the loss of 76 year old Jimmy Buffett, who's iconic tunes include "Cheeseburger in Paradise" and "Son of a Son of a Sailor". Buffett had been quietly battling a rare form of skin cancer for the last 4 years, and in recent years some of his shows were postponed or cancelled due to health reasons. Now we know why.

During his career Buffett not only had a streak of hit tunes, but he was a very successful businessman, with a net worth estimated at nearly $1 billion dollars upon his death.

Paul McCartney had a chance to get to know the real Jimmy Buffett, and commented on his passing in a tweet over the weekend: "It seems that so many wonderful people are leaving this world, and now Jimmy Buffett is one of them. I’ve known Jimmy for some time and found him to be one of the kindest and most generous people."

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Credit: Sir Paul McCartney, Twitter

McCartney added: "Right up to the last minute his eyes still twinkled with a humor that said, ‘I love this world and I’m going to enjoy every minute of it’. So many of us will miss Jimmy and his tremendous personality. His love for us all, and for mankind as a whole."

Buffett kept his skin cancer diagnosis secret in recent years, but Sir Paul McCartney commented on the man's positive outlook and love for life: "He had a most amazing lust for life and a beautiful sense of humor. When we swapped tales about the past his were so exotic and lush and involved sailing trips and surfing and so many exciting stories that it was hard for me to keep up with him."

Credit: Fred Wellman, Twitter

Jimmy Buffett was somehow able to leverage his 1977 hit song "Margaritaville" into a billion dollar empire of restaurants, hotels and senior living resorts across the southern US. He was more than a musician, and many of his peers are sharing stories of how Jimmy impacted their lives.

Buffett was able to transfer his vision and personal brand into a sprawling empire, and along the way he united people, worldwide, with his songs. No small task in today's world.

Rest in peace Jimmy, and thank you for making us smile.

See Inside Jimmy Buffett's Staggering $6.9 Million Palm Beach Mansion

Jimmy Buffett sure knew how to live the good life. His former 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 4,039-square-foot mansion in the exclusive Eden Properties neighborhood in Palm Beach is exactly the kind of laid-back home you'd expect the superstar to relax in when he was off the road.

The interior centers around a combined dining and living room with eye-popping vaulted ceilings topped off by skylights, while a massive wall of mahogany-framed sliding glass doors looks out over the pool area outside. The kitchen is decorated in gleaming white, and each of the bedrooms has its own attached bathroom, while the massive master suite also has sliding glass doors that open to both the pool and a bathroom that looks like it belongs in a high-end resort.

The exterior of the house is just as striking, centered around a sparkling pool of deep cobalt blue. The pool area features plenty of lounging, and a loggia just outside the living room offers open-air dining. There are lush gardens, brick paths that walk through elaborate pergolas and a fountain. The property also features a two-car garage with a guest suite overhead, and it offers deeded access to the beach nearby.

Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker