Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer and navigator who completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean, opening the way for the widespread European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

How did Christopher die?

Illness. Christopher Columbus died on May 20, 1506 at only 55 years of age due to heart failure. His condition was called gout at the time, but modern doctors suspect that it was rather Reiter's Syndrome, a reactive arthritis caused by bacterial intestinal infections or sexually transmitted diseases.

When did Christopher Columbus die and when was he born?

Christopher Columbus, Italian Cristoforo Colombo, Spanish Cristóbal Colón, (born between August 26 and October 31?, 1451, Genoa [Italy]—died May 20, 1506, Valladolid, Spain), master navigator and admiral whose four transatlantic voyages (1492–93, 1493–96, 1498–1500, and 1502–04) opened the way for European exploration, ...