Trimble had been leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, which issued a brief statement on Monday: “It is with great sadness that the family of Lord Trimble announce that he passed away peacefully today after a short illness.”
Trimble, a former law professor at Queen’s University Belfast, made history as one of the key players behind the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast peace agreement.
Trimble and John Hume, the late leader of the Social Democratic and Labor Party, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts “to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland”.
Trimble later served as Premier of the region until 2002. He led the Ulster Unionist Party for a decade from 1995.
Trimble resigned as leader of the UUP after losing his seat in the 2005 British general election to the Democratic Unionist Party, which had opposed the Good Friday Agreement.
He accepted a life peerage in the House of Lords and joined the British Conservative Party.
Among Monday’s tributes, Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin recognized Trimble’s “central contribution” to peace.
“The work of reconciliation begun in the Good Friday Agreement continues, and as new generations take up the mantle of this work, it is fitting that we pay tribute to Lord Trimble for his central contribution in putting in the way of peace and reconciliation.” He said.
Trimble is survived by his wife, Daphne, and their four children.