Ric Ocasek dies aged 75: The Cars frontman's model wife Paulina Porizkova reveals she found singer dead as she brought him morning coffee

The model wife of the frontman for The Cars rock band has revealed that she found him dead as she brought him his morning coffee.

Ric Ocasek was found dead in his Manhatten apartment on Sunday aged 75. The New York medical examiner confirmed he died from heart disease worsened by emphysema.

The singer’s wife, the model and actress Paulina Porizkova, said Ric was at home recuperating after surgery and she and their two sons had been making sure he was comfortable.

The 54-year-old, who announced last year that the pair had separated, said she found him “still asleep” when bringing him his Sunday morning coffee and touched his cheek to rouse him.

She added: “It was then I realised that during the night he had peacefully passed on."

In a heartbreaking Instagram post following her husband’s death, she continued: “We appreciate the great outpouring of love.

"We, his family and friends, are completely and utterly devastated by his untimely and unexpected death and would appreciate the privacy to mourn in private."

Porizkova, who met Ocasek while filming the music video for The Cars 1984 single Drive, last year Porizkova announced she and Ocasek had separated after 28 years of marriage.

Following the musician's death, figures from across the industry paid tribute.

Canadian singer Bryan Adams praised Ocasek as a "great songwriter and singer" while Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, real name Michael Balzary, said he produced "perfect pop songs".

Rock band The Cars were known for chart-topping hits in the late 1970s and 1980s including radio favourite Drive, Just What I Needed and Shake It Up.