( CNN ) -- The first democratically elected president of Zambia , who become the focus of a lengthy corruption trial during his retirement , died at his home early Saturday , his spokesman said . Frederick Chiluba was 68 . He ruled the nation from 1991 to 2001 . `` The death was a surprise for us because he was normal during the day , '' spokesman Emmanuel Mwamba said by phone from Lusaka . `` He met some people , had appointments and consulted . It was a normal day . '' Mwamba said a doctor came to the former leader 's home hours before he died after he complained of stomach pains . He was treated and appeared fine , but later became unconscious . He died surrounded by his wife and some relatives , the spokesman said . The former president suffered from heart problems during his retirement and had undergone treatment overseas . Chiluba took over after 27 years of one-party rule under strongman Kenneth Kaunda . In the early stages of his presidency , Chiluba became popular for setting up political reforms in the nation . He later resorted to an autocratic rule that especially targeted opposition rivals and outspoken journalists . An attempted military coup to oust him in 1997 failed , leading Chiluba to throw some of his opponents in prison , including Kaunda . After unsuccessfully trying to amend the constitution to extend his two terms in office , Chiluba handed over to his hand-picked successor , Levy Mwanawasa . Shortly after the successor took office , he turned on Chiluba and called for a corruption trial against him . A London court convicted him of fraud in absentia and ordered him to repay millions of dollars in government funds , but Zambia did not honor the ruling . The trial was held in London because some of the alleged corruption occurred there . Chiluba accused Britain , which colonized Zambia , of interfering with the nation 's judicial system . Zambia acquitted him of additional corruption charges in 2009 . Journalist Chibaula Silwamba contributed to this report from Lusaka , Zambia .
Chiluba ruled the country from 1991 to 2001 . He was popular for setting up political reforms in the early years of his term . He later resorted to an autocratic rule that targeted the opposition .