STIRLING MOSS PICTURE SPECIAL: The most important moments of racing legend’s life

The world of sport was left mourning a true great on Sunday after the passing of British motor racing legend Sir Stirling Moss.

Moss passed away on Easter morning at the age of 90 with his wife Susie – who hadbnursed him through a long battle with illness – by his bedside.

Moss’s death was the result of a chest infection he caught in Singapore just before Christmas 2016. 

He became one of the most lionised figures in the history of British sport after earning the acclaim as the greatest all-round racer ever, while winning the hearts of everyone thanks to his incredible sportsmanship.

Off the racing circuit, he lived life to the full before settling down with his third wife Susie in 1980. 

Here, Sportsmail runs you through some of the most iconic images of Moss’s career, life away from the circuit and his retirement… 

The start of a truly momentous career: The first hill-climb run for the then 18-year-old Moss on May 9, 1948 

Moss claims the chequered flag in one of his first-ever races on the Goodwood Estate on September 18, 1948

Moss claims the chequered flag in one of his first-ever races on the Goodwood Estate on September 18, 1948

Moss (centre), celebrates with co-driver Tony Brooks (second right) after winning the 1958 Tourist Trophy Sports Car race

Moss (centre), celebrates with co-driver Tony Brooks (second right) after winning the 1958 Tourist Trophy Sports Car race

The Brit, born in London in September 1929, on the way to winning the Mille Miglia Race - his most famous ever drive

The Brit, born in London in September 1929, on the way to winning the Mille Miglia Race – his most famous ever drive

Moss enjoys his winning parade at Mille Miglia - where he set a new course record in the famous 1,000-mile race around Italy

Moss enjoys his winning parade at Mille Miglia – where he set a new course record in the famous 1,000-mile race around Italy

Moss earned the special acclaim of the greatest all-round racer ever thanks to his fine career down the years

Moss earned the special acclaim of the greatest all-round racer ever thanks to his fine career down the years

Moss races during the Monaco Grand Prix in 1956, five years before his famous triumph on the Monte Carlo circuit

Moss races during the Monaco Grand Prix in 1956, five years before his famous triumph on the Monte Carlo circuit

Moss adjusts the helmet of Ferrari rival Mike Hawthorn during the 1958 Formula One World Championship

Moss adjusts the helmet of Ferrari rival Mike Hawthorn during the 1958 Formula One World Championship

Moss receives his trophy after historically clinching the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 14, 1961

Moss receives his trophy after historically clinching the Monaco Grand Prix at Monte Carlo on May 14, 1961

Moss is bombarded by journalists after winning the Monaco Grand Prix - triumphing in his Lotus against the faster Ferraris

Moss is bombarded by journalists after winning the Monaco Grand Prix – triumphing in his Lotus against the faster Ferraris

The horrific aftermath following Moss's crash at Goodwood in 1962 - which effectively ended his career within motorsport

The horrific aftermath following Moss’s crash at Goodwood in 1962 – which effectively ended his career within motorsport

The wreckage of the crash that left the British racing legend in a coma for a month and partially paralysed for six months

The wreckage of the crash that left the British racing legend in a coma for a month and partially paralysed for six months

Moss lies unconscious on a stretcher at Atkinson Memorial Hospital, in Wimbledon, after crashing at Goodwood

Moss lies unconscious on a stretcher at Atkinson Memorial Hospital, in Wimbledon, after crashing at Goodwood

The ever-so popular British driver is pushed in a wheelchair at Atkinson Morley Hospital in Wimbledon after his crash

The ever-so popular British driver is pushed in a wheelchair at Atkinson Morley Hospital in Wimbledon after his crash

Moss became one of the most lionised figures in British sporting history - and earned huge respect through his sportsmanship

Moss became one of the most lionised figures in British sporting history – and earned huge respect through his sportsmanship

The London-born superstar picks up his Sports Personality of the Year award for his Formula One exploits in 1961

The London-born superstar picks up his Sports Personality of the Year award for his Formula One exploits in 1961

The Brit trades the car for some water-skiing while on holiday in sunny Bahamas back in March 1955

The Brit trades the car for some water-skiing while on holiday in sunny Bahamas back in March 1955 

Moss sips from a glass beside a swimming pool in the Bahamas during a period of rest and recuperation after his crash

Moss sips from a glass beside a swimming pool in the Bahamas during a period of rest and recuperation after his crash

Moss earned a reputation with the ladies during his incredible career, which spanned from 1948 to 1962

Moss earned a reputation with the ladies during his incredible career, which spanned from 1948 to 1962

Moss' dashing and daring reputation throughout his life always stood for a certain brand of Englishness

Moss’ dashing and daring reputation throughout his life always stood for a certain brand of Englishness

The former driver lifts up fashion model Liz Hooley while on holiday in Monaco back in June 1973

The former driver lifts up fashion model Liz Hooley while on holiday in Monaco back in June 1973

The British Formula One legend with his first wife Katie - whom were married between the years of 1957 to 1959

The British Formula One legend with his first wife Katie – whom were married between the years of 1957 to 1959

Moss poses for a picture with his second wife Elaine Barberino - with the pair married between 1964 to 1968

Moss poses for a picture with his second wife Elaine Barberino – with the pair married between 1964 to 1968

Moss on his wedding day in April 1980 with his third wife Susie, whom he settled down with for the remainder of his life

Moss on his wedding day in April 1980 with his third wife Susie, whom he settled down with for the remainder of his life

Moss had made a good living out of his exploits and continued to trade off his highly marketable legend as ¿Mr Motor Racing¿

Moss had made a good living out of his exploits and continued to trade off his highly marketable legend as ‘Mr Motor Racing’

Moss poses for a picture with six grid girls at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire back in July 2010

Moss poses for a picture with six grid girls at Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire back in July 2010

Moss poses for a photograph with Bunny Girls at the Goodwood Revival meeting in Sussex in September 2011

Moss poses for a photograph with Bunny Girls at the Goodwood Revival meeting in Sussex in September 2011

Moss. who won 212 of the 529 races he entered, poses for a picture with 1960-styled models back in May 2011

Moss. who won 212 of the 529 races he entered, poses for a picture with 1960-styled models back in May 2011

Moss, pictured in his London home, was the rarest of phenomena in sport: a man who rose above its biggest prizes

Moss, pictured in his London home, was the rarest of phenomena in sport: a man who rose above its biggest prizes

He speaks to a policewoman as he drives Lunar Rover Moon Buggy through the streets of Kensington to the science museum

He speaks to a policewoman as he drives Lunar Rover Moon Buggy through the streets of Kensington to the science museum

The motor racing legend poses for a picture after receiving an honorary doctorate in technology from Sunderland university

The motor racing legend poses for a picture after receiving an honorary doctorate in technology from Sunderland university

Moss pictured here talking to six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton back in 2013 at the Silverstone Circuit

Moss pictured here talking to six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton back in 2013 at the Silverstone Circuit

Moss' third and final wife, Lady Susie, was his real diamond - she was unfailingly at his bedside over the last few years

Moss’ third and final wife, Lady Susie, was his real diamond – she was unfailingly at his bedside over the last few years

Lady Moss paid a touching tribute to her late husband following his tragic death: 'He died as he lived, looking wonderful'

Lady Moss paid a touching tribute to her late husband following his tragic death: ‘He died as he lived, looking wonderful’

Lady Moss was at his bedside as he died, having nursed him through a long illness, at their central London house

Lady Moss was at his bedside as he died, having nursed him through a long illness, at their central London house

The greatest all-round racing driver, who once seemed indestructible, leaves behind a massive hole in British sport

The greatest all-round racing driver, who once seemed indestructible, leaves behind a massive hole in British sport