Pattycake was a 40-year-old Bronx Zoo gorilla. She died on Sunday after receiving medical treatment for a heart problem.

Pattycake the Bronx Zoo gorilla was born in September 1973 at the Central Park Zoo. She was an instant sensation and the first New York City born gorilla.  At 5 months old she made her first headline when she suffered a broken arm.

In 1983 at 10-years-old Pattycake the gorilla moved to her new home, the Bronx Zoo. Pattycake has given birth to 10 babies all living at different zoos around the United States.

The Bronx Zoo gorilla lived to be 40 years old. Typically captive gorillas live to be about 37-years-old. According to National Geographic the average life span of a wild mountain gorilla is 35-years-old.

The Bronx Zoo released a statement saying, "Millions of children in New York City grew up with Pattycake at the Bronx Zoo. Pattycake was a very special animal and her presence will be deeply missed."

Fans of Pattycake left Facebook messages expressing their sorrow at the gorilla's death.

Janet Tannura Gorman writes, "So sad I loved Pattycake. Rest in peace sweet one."

Danielle Gorman Mateo simply posted, "Poor Pattycake."

The Bronx Zoo gorilla was suffering from chronic heart problems. Staff at the zoo knew about her health issues and took appropriate steps in giving Pattycake proper medical treatment. Other reports suggest that a combination of Pattycake's heart failure and her old age may have been the cause of death. A necropsy will be preformed to officially determine the Bronx Zoo gorilla's cause of death.