James Brady, the former White House press secretary who also survived a gunshot wound to the head during the 1981 assassination attempt of President Ronald Reagan, died Monday. He was 73.

"We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Jim "Bear" Brady has passed away after a series of health issues," Brady's family said in a statement. "His wife, Sarah, son, Scott, and daughter, Missy, are so thankful to have had the opportunity to say their farewells." 

After surviving the gunshot wound, Brady spent most of the rest of his life in a wheelchair. He passed away at a retirement community in Alexandria, Virginia.

The assassination attempt in 1981 occurred outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. After surviving the shot, Brady only returned to the White House briefly. However, he was allowed to keep the title of White House Press Secretary until 1989, when Reagan left the office.

Former first lady Nancy Reagan said she was "deepy saddened" to hear about Brady's passing.

"I still remember vividly that day in March 1981, when Sarah and I sat together in a tiny room near the emergency room at George Washington University Hospital, trying to comfort each other while we both were gripped with unspeakable fear," Mrs. Reagan said. "The bond we established then was unlike any other." 

Brady decided to become an advocate for gun control. He lobbied for stricter handgun and assault-weapon laws. Now, a federal law requiring a background check on handgun buyers bears his name and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence is named after him as well.

Brady "leaves the kind of legacy ... that certainly this press secretary and all future press secretaries will aspire to live up to," current White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said.  

Brady began his interest in politics at the early age of 12, handing out flyers for the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower. He worked for Sen. Everett M. Dirksen of Illinois, Sen. William V. Roth Jr. of Delaware, and John Connally, the former Texas governor who was running for president in 1979. 

President Bill Clinton awarded Brady the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1996. In 2000, the press room in the White House was renamed in honor of Brady.

Survivors of Brady include his wife Sarah, son Scott and a daughter, Melissa.