Javier Marias, the most prominent novelist in Spain during the last half century, died at the age of 70.

During his life, Marias published 16 novels, including the trilogy "Your Face Tomorrow", which was published between 2002 and 2007 and his books were translated into 46 languages, including Arabic, and sold nearly 9 million copies in 56 countries. " Among his most famous novels is "A Heart So White, All Souls..."

Besides his literary writings, Marías has worked as a university professor, translator and columnist for a Spanish daily newspaper and has won a series of awards for his work and was elected to the presidency of the Royal Spanish Academy, the country's most prestigious literary and linguistic body, in 2006.

For years, Marías was considered the leading Spanish nominee for the Nobel Prize for Literature.

The Spanish Prime Minister tweeted: It is a sad day for Spanish literature, Javier, one of the greatest writers of our time, has left our world, his works will be an essential talent for Spanish literature.