Oscar Hijuelos, a Cuban-American novelist honored with Pulitzer Prize for his book, "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love," has died Saturday, Oct.12.

The death was confirmed by Jennifer Lynos, Pulitzer winning novelist's agent. He was 62 when he died in Manhattan.

He had a heart attack which he suffered when playing tennis as reported by his wife, Lori Marie Carlson, who is both a writer and editor.

Pulitzer Winning Book 'The Mambo Kings Play Songs Of Love'

Hijuelos' popular book, "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love," was published in 1990. He was awarded with Pulitzer Prize for fiction. He was the first Hispanic to receive the most prestigious and the highest award in the literary world of the Pulitzer.

His winning book was a story about the journey of the two Cuban brothers, Cesar and Nestor Castillo. These brothers travel from Havana to New York to start an orchestra. The book renders an insight into Cuban-American life of the 1950s.

The book, "The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love" rose to fame when it was adapted into a film. Antonio Banderas and Armand Assante were cast in the movie.

Hijuelos' Other Works

Many of Oscar's books revolved around the lives of the immigrants in highly ambitious American culture.

Other Hijuelos' famous book was, "Our House in the Last World," which was his first book. He also wrote "Mr. Ives' Christmas" and "Dark Dude."

In 2011, he wrote "Thoughts without Cigarettes: A Memoir." This book described his battle against being stereotyped as "ethnic" writer. He brought to light the plight of the other extremely talented Hispanic writers when they are labeled with the same stereotype.

His Life

Oscar was born in Ney York City in Morningside Heights. As a child, he had to fight with a disease with acute nephritis when he returned from a trip to Cuba. He was accompanied by his brother and mother.

He went to local community college where his teachers helped him explore and hone his talent. Some of the noted writers who inspired the Pulitzer Prize winning novelist were Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jose Lezama Lima and Carlos Fuentos.