Last photo of David Bowie, dapper and laughing

Updated
Rock Legend David Bowie Dies After 18 Months Battle With Cancer
Rock Legend David Bowie Dies After 18 Months Battle With Cancer


The charisma and vitality of David Bowie was perfectly captured the last ever photo taken of the music legend.

The beautiful picture was posted on Bowie's official Instagram page on Friday, Jan. 8 — just two days before he died following an 18-month battle with cancer. It was taken by his longtime photographer, Jimmy King, as part of a promotional shoot.

Celebrating his 69th birthday, the "Let's Dance" singer was wearing a classic trilby hat, a dark fitted suit and a huge cheerful grin in the already icon image.

SEE ALSO: Front pages around the world pay tribute to David Bowie

It was accompanied by a caption that read: "HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID BOWIE. That's the message that I sent..." Why is this man so happy? Is it because it's his 69th birthday or that he has released his 28th studio album today and it's a corker?

"Who knows, but we're sure you'll want to join us in congratulating him on both."

Bowie's final album, "Blackstar," was released on Friday and it was set to be honored at a concert at Carnegie Hall on March 31 featuring the Roots, Cyndi Lauper and the Mountain Goats. The album features the haunting song "Lazarus," which opens with the lyrics: "Look up here, I'm in Heaven!"

See David Bowie's life in photos:

Realizing that the end was near even though millions of fans were unaware, Iman posted a number of photos of her husband on Instagam over the days leading up to his death, ranging from his flamboyant Ziggy Stardust days to a dashing shot on stage with Tina Turner in the '80s.

Iman and Bowie had been married since 1992, he is also survived by two children, Duncan Jones and Alexandria "Lexi" Zahra Jones, from a previous relationship.

Bowie achieved massive global success for over four decades with hit songs and albums such as "Starman," "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars," "Fame," "Young Americans," "China Girl," "Modern Love," "Rebel, Rebel," "All the Young Dudes," "Panic in Detroit," "Fashion" and "Life on Mars."

See the Instagram post below.



More on AOL.com:
Fans gather to remember David Bowie
David Bowie and Iman had a storybook romance for 25 years
'Lazarus,' David Bowie's final video, eerily foreshadows his death



Advertisement