Muhammad Ali died on June 3, 2016, at the age of 74 due to septic shock, which is a severe and life-threatening response to infection. Although he had been battling Parkinson's disease for over 30 years, the immediate cause of death was septic shock resulting from complications related to a respiratory illness

. His family confirmed that while Parkinson's disease complicated his health, it was the septic shock that ultimately caused his death. Ali had been hospitalized shortly before his passing due to respiratory issues, and his condition worsened as sepsis developed

. In summary, Muhammad Ali's death was caused by septic shock linked to an infection, with Parkinson's disease being a significant but indirect factor in his declining health