Photos: Fidel Castro through the years

Castro with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev at the United Nations.   (Marty Lederhandler / Associated Press)

Castro enjoys a Cohiba cigar during a ceremony at the Palace of Receptions in Havana.  (Phil Sandlin / Associated Press)

Castro addresses the United Nations General Assembly.  (Marty Lederhandler / Associated Press)

Castro with Nicaragua’s President Daniel Ortega at the opening of a sugar processing plant in the Central American country. Cuban workers built the project.  (Arturo Robles / Associated Press)

Castro during an interview at his presidential palace in Havana.  (Charles Tasnadi / Associated Press)

Castro and former President Carter attend funeral services for former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in Montreal.  (Jacques Boissinot / Associated Press)

Castro consults with his brother Raul during a meeting of the Cuban parliament. Castro, the only leader Cuba had known for nearly five decades, would hand the reins of power to his brother after undergoing intestinal surgery in July 2006.   (Adalberto Roque / AFP/Getty Images)

2011: Castro at the Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana, during which he officially relinquished his position as head of the party.

2016: Fidel Castro addresses delegates on the last day of the 7th Cuban Communist Party Congress in Havana on April 19, 2016, his most recent public appearance.   (Ismael Francisco / Associated Press )