The Grand Duke Jean of Luxembourg, who oversaw the transformation of the Grand Duchy into an international financial center, has died at the age of 98.<br />He had recently been admitted to hospital suffering from a pulmonary infection and passed away surrounded by his family, according to his son Henri.<br />Grand Duke Jean greatly contributed to turning Luxembourg from an industrial backwater into a center for financial services and satellite communications during his 36 years as the head of state.<br />He stepped down as Grand Duke in the year2000. <br />
