Magician Siegfried Fischbacher dies at 81

Magician Siegfried Fischbacher, who alongside Roy Horn created the world-famous act Siegfried & Roy, died at his home in Las Vegas Wednesday after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a statement provided to Reuters Thursday.

The death of the renowned illusionist comes eight months after his longtime partner in the production Roy Horn died due to complications from COVID-19.

Siegfried & Roy were among Las Vegas’ most famous performers, captivating audiences with acts featuring white tigers, lions and other exotic animals.

The legendary duo, co-founded their stage act after meeting on a cruise ship in the late 1950s before bringing the show to Las Vegas in 1967.

The German pair spent the next four decades entertaining audiences with performances that made them Las Vegas icons, though in 2003 they stopped their show after Horn was mauled by a white tiger on his 59th birthday during a performance at the Mirage hotel in Las Vegas.

They continued making public appearances before retiring in 2010.

Following Horn's death last year, Fischbacher in a statement said: "From the moment we met, I knew Roy and I, together, would change the world. There could be no Siegfried without Roy, and no Roy without Siegfried."

Siegfried Fischbacher was 81.