Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain has passed away after being hospitalized with COVID-19.

Cain, who was a prominent businessman and the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, passed away at 74 after undergoing treatment for the virus, CNBC reports. 

“We knew when he was first hospitalized with COVID-19 that this was going to be a rough fight,” a statement on his website read. “He had trouble breathing and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We all prayed that the initial meds they gave him would get his breathing back to normal, but it became clear pretty quickly that he was in for a battle.”

On Monday, CNN reported that after testing positive and being hospitalized, he was improving.

"[Cain] is still in the hospital being treated with oxygen for his lungs. In the meantime, the doctors say his other organs and systems are strong," a staff member tweeted from Cain's account on Monday. "Re-strengthening the lungs is a long and slow process, and the doctors want to be thorough about it."

Cain was the co-chair for Black Voices for Trump and attended President Donald Trump's campaign rally in Tulsa. At least eight people from Trump's team tested positive for the virus, however, it is unclear how and where Cain contracted COVID-19, according to CNN.

He was hospitalized at the beginning of the month after displaying severe symptoms. He was a cancer survivor and was considered high risk, according to the CDC.

In 2006, Cain was given a 30% chance of survival after being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver. He was pronounced cancer free in 2007. 

In 2011, he launched his presidential campaign with his 9-9-9 tax reform plan that gained some attention. He dropped out when he was accused of sexual harassment, which he denied.

Black-Voices-For-TrumpcoronavirusDonald trumpHerman Cain