Gunther von Hagens, the renowned creator of the 'Body Worlds' exhibitions, has passed away at the age of 81.
Von Hagens was known for developing the technique of plastination, a process that replaces bodily fluids and fatty tissues with rubber and polymers, allowing for the preservation and display of human and animal bodies.
His family has announced that they will honor his wish to have his own body plastinated after his death.
Over 58 million people worldwide have viewed von Hagens' exhibitions, which have sparked both fascination and controversy.
Born in Nazi-occupied Poland, von Hagens grew up in communist East Germany before fleeing to the West in 1970.
He developed the plastination process in the following years, and his specimens were initially used as teaching aids at universities and research institutes.
It wasn't until the late 1990s that von Hagens began taking his 'Body Worlds' exhibitions global, leaving a lasting impact on the world of anatomy and beyond.