Renowned classical pianist Van Cliburn, 78, has been diagnosed with advanced bone cancer.
Cliburn's long-time friend and publicist Mary Lou Falcone announced Monday that the artist is resting comfortably at his Texas home.
"He is under excellent care and resting comfortably at home," said Falcone. "His spirits are high. We ask that his privacy be respected."
The piano legend debuted with the Houston Symphony Orchestra at age 12 and entered the Juilliard School at 17. He won Leventritt Competition and made his Carnegie Hall debut at age 20. In 1958, he skyrocketed to fame when by winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow at age 23.
Cliburn won the Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance for this recording in 1958 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. He was also presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2003 by President George W. Bush.
Watch Van Cliburn Perform Tchaikovsky Concerto in 1962:
