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Former three-term New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, the liberal son of Italian immigrants who gained national attention with a rousing speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention criticizing then- President Ronald Reagan, died Thursday. He was 82.

Cuomo, who went on after the speech to become considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in in 1988 and 1992, died in New York of a heart condition.

Cuomo was hospitalized for a heart condition in November 2014 shortly after his son, current New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, won re-election to a second term. The New York Post reported that Mario Cuomo joined his son at a victory event, but was rushed to the hospital the next day.

The New York City native held the highest office in the state for over a decade, between 1983 and 1994. He was defeated in his bid for a fourth term by Republican George Pataki. Before that, he was lieutenant governor of New York from 1979 to 1982.

However, Cuomo never lost sight of his humble beginnings as a son of immigrants. When asked by the New York Times Magazine in 2011 if he was proud that his son Andrew was following in his footsteps, he said he felt lucky rather than prideful.

�I somehow stumbled through and became a governor,� he said. �I�ve told you that story. It was all luck. Luck and nothing else.�

During his tenure, Cuomo was known as a staunch liberal.

He rose to national prominence after a rousing speech at the 1984 Democratic National Convention, in which he criticized Reagan�s economic policies. He accused Reagan of believing in social Darwinism, and said the president�s analogy of America as a �city on the hill� was only for some of its people.

�In fact, Mr. President, this is a nation -- Mr. President you ought to know that this nation is more a �Tale of Two Cities� than it is just a �Shining City on a Hill,�� Cuomo said in the address.

Cuomo was considered a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nominations in 1988 and 1992, but chose both times not to seek the office. After being defeated for a fourth term, he retired from politics and worked at Manhattan law firm Willkie, Farr & Gallagher.

He was a graduate of St. John�s University and St. John�s University School of Law.

Cuomo is survived by his wife of 60 years, Matilda, and his five children Margaret, Andrew, Maria, Madeline and Chris. Andrew Cuomo was formerly married to Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert F. Kennedy.

Margaret Cuomo is a well-known radiologist who frequently writes and blogs about cancer prevention. Maria Cuomo, known as Maria Cuomo Cole, is married to fashion designer Kenneth Cole. Chris Cuomo is an anchor for CNN�s �New Day.�