Former "boss of bosses" Toto Riina, one of the most feared Godfathers in the history of the Sicilian Mafia, died early Friday after battling cancer, according to Italian media reports.

Riina, 87, who had been serving 26 life sentences and is thought to have ordered more than 150 murders, had been in a coma and his family had been given permission by Italy's health ministry Thursday for a rare visit to say goodbye.