Philippine's people power leader Aquino dies

Corazon Aquino (1933 - 2009)

The unassuming widow whose "people power" revolution toppled a dictator, restored Philippine democracy and inspired millions of people around the world, died Saturday morning after a battle with colon cancer. She was 76.

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The woman who led the Philippines people power movement in 1986, former president Corazon Aquino, has died (Saturday morning) at the age of 76 from cancer, her family has announced.

Ms Aquino was the first female president in the Philippines and made history in 1986 when her so-called yellow revolution forced dictator Ferdinand Marcos out of office, after almost 20 years in power.

She was married to Senator Benigno 'Ninoy' Aquino who had opposed Marcos and was assassinated in 1983 as he returned from exile.

Until that time, Ms Aquino had no public role in politics.

During her presidency from 1986 to 1992 she faced a number of attempted military coups. Her attempts to implement political and economic reforms failed and she eventually stepped down.

While she was not altogether successful in making the changes she promised during her presidency, Ms Aquino continued to be popular among the Filipino people long after she left office in 1992.

Ms Aquino was born in 1933 into one of the richest families in the Philippines.

In March 2008, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. (source ABC News)