Tom Petty, 66, one of the best-selling artists of all time

Rock star Tom Petty has died at the age of 66 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

During a career spanning five decades, Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide.

Famous for songs such as Free Fallin’, Refugee and Runnin’ Down A Dream, he was one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

His death comes just weeks after he completed a 40th anniversary tour with his longtime band the Heartbreakers.

Petty was born in Florida in 1950 and first became interested in rock and roll at the age of 10 when he met Elvis Presley.

His uncle was working on the set of Presley’s film Follow That Dream in nearby Ocala, and invited Petty to come down and watch the shoot.

He was later inspired by the Beatles, and in a 2006 interview said he knew he wanted to be in a band the moment he saw the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

At the age of 17, aspiring rock star Petty dropped out of high school to form the band Mudcrutch.

The group, which featured guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench, broke up but reunited in Los Angeles as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, joined by bassist Ron Blair and drummer Stan Lynch.

The band rose to fame during the 1970s, producing hits such as American Girl, Breakdown and Learning To Fly.

In 1988, Petty joined George Harrison’s supergroup, The Traveling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne.

The following year, Petty released his first solo album, Full Moon Fever, which included hits including I Won’t Back Down and Free Fallin’.

Despite the success of his other projects, Petty would always return to the Heartbreakers.

The band remained popular, recently finishing their 40th anniversary tour with three dates at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, and closing the British Summer Time Festival in London’s Hyde Park in July.

Twice-married, Petty was first wed to Jane Benyo in 1974, and the couple had two daughters, with their marriage lasting 22 years.

He was married for a second time, to Dana York Epperson, in 2001.

Tom Petty sold more than 80 million records worldwide.