Glimpses of Hawking’s life

Stephen Hawking, who has died aged 76, was Britain's most famous modern day scientist, a genius who dedicated his life to unlocking the secrets of the Universe. Born on January 8, 1942 -- 300 years to the day after the death of the father of modern science, Galileo Galilei -- he believed science was his destiny.

Stephen Hawking and his new bride Elaine Mason pose for pictures after the blessing of their wedding at St. Barnabus Church 16 September 1995.

Stephen Hawking arrives at the UK premiere of the film "The Theory of Everything" which is based around his life, at a cinema in central London. 

ope Benedict XVI (R) greets British professor Stephen Hawking during a meeting of science academics at the Vatican 31 October 2008. 

British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking (R) and his wife Elaine pose in front of the San Lorenzo beach in the northern Spanish city of Gijon 10 April 2005. 

British physicist Stephen Hawking looks at a book of Chile's Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda after a meeting with Chile's President Michelle Bachelet (unseen) at the Presidential Palace in Santiago 17 January 2008. 

Physicist Stephen Hawking sits on stage during an announcement of the Breakthrough Starshot initiative with investor Yuri Milner in New York 12 April 2016.

British physicist Stephen Hawking answers questions during an interview in Orlando, Florida 25 April 2007. 

British astrophysicist Professor Stephen Hawking and his wife Elaine (R) visit the stand of German bookseller Rowohlt at the Frankfurt book fair, 19 October 2005. 

In this file photo taken on 9 December 2014, British actors Felicity Jones (L) and Eddie Redmayne (R) pose with British scientist Stephen Hawking (C) at the UK premiere of the film 'The Theory of Everything' in London. 

In this file photo, Stephen Hawking receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom from US President Barack Obama during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House on 12 August 2009. 

This file picture taken on 12 June 2006 shows British theoretical physicist and mathematician Stephen Hawking (C) arriving at Hong Kong's international airport.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela (R) meets theoretical physicist professor Stephen Hawking at Mandela's Foundation office in Johannesburg 15 May 2008.