How did Alan Rickman die?

ACTING legend Alan Rickman will be remembered by many as Professor Snape from the Harry Potter film series.

But four years on from the final instalment of the fantasy franchise, Alan received a terminal diagnosis which ultimately led to his death in 2016.

How did Alan Rickman die?

Alan Rickman died of pancreatic cancer in January 2016 at the age of 69.

His death was confirmed by his family who said that he died “surrounded by family and friends”.

In an excerpt from one of his 2005 journals, it revealed that the actor was privately battling aggressive prostate cancer at the time during filming for the fifth instalment of Harry Potter.

He revealed why he agreed to keep filming for the franchise, despite being unwell.

"Finally, yes to HP 5," he wrote. "The sensation is neither up nor down. The argument that wins is the one that says: 'See it through. It's your story'."

In August 2015, Rickman had a minor stroke, which led to the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

It is believed that he only revealed to close friends and family that he was terminally ill.

His remains were cremated in February 2016 and his ashes were given to his wife, Rima Horton.

Who was Alan Rickman?

Alan Sidney Patrick Rickman was born on February 21, 1946.

He was an English actor and director, known for playing a variety of characters on screen and on stage. 

Many will recognise him for playing Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series.

He continued to play the role through the eighth and last movie Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 in 2011.

During this time he also appeared in Love Actually (2003), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), and Alice in Wonderland (2010).

His final film roles were Eye in the Sky (2015), and Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016).

Was Alan Rickman married?

Alan tied the knot with his partner Rima Horton in 2012 after 50 years together.

Rima is a retired English academic and former Labour Party politician.

The pair met in 1965 when Alan was 19 and she was 18.

They lived in London together from 1977 until his death in 2016.

When asked what the secret was to his happy relationship around the time they got married, the actor told German newspaper Bild: "We are married, just recently. It was great, because no one was there.

"After the wedding in New York we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and ate lunch."

He jokingly added that he got his wife was $200 dollars ring "that she never wears."