Belfast , Northern Ireland ( CNN ) -- Northern Ireland 's former first minister and former Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley has died , his wife , Eileen , said in a statement Friday . He was 88 . Paisley , a Protestant preacher , was a key figure in ending three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland , making peace in the end after leading Protestants against compromise with Roman Catholics for years . `` My beloved husband , Ian , entered his eternal rest this morning , '' his wife 's statement said . `` Although ours is the grand hope of reunion , naturally as a family we are heartbroken . We loved him and he adored us , and our earthly lives are forever changed . '' Paisley made his name as a hard-line pro-British politician during the Northern Ireland conflict and was leader of the Democratic Unionist Party for almost 40 years . During decades of seemingly irreversible conflict between Northern Ireland 's Protestant and Roman Catholic communities , Paisley was considered an uncompromising figure . The unrest in the province killed at least 3,600 people and injured 36,000 over the years . To the surprise of many , Paisley agreed to share power with his former sworn enemy , Sinn Fein . Paisley was elected Northern Ireland 's first minister in 2007 , with former Irish Republican Army commander Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister . Political opponents , but friends . McGuinness said Friday that he had learned of Paisley 's death `` with deep regret and sadness '' despite their long political rivalry . `` Over a number of decades we were political opponents and held very different views on many , many issues , but the one thing we were absolutely united on was the principle that our people were better able to govern themselves than any British government . `` I want to pay tribute to and comment on the work he did in the latter days of his political life in building agreement and leading unionism into a new accommodation with republicans and nationalists . '' In the brief time they worked together as first and deputy first minister , a close working relationship developed that turned in a friendship , McGuinness said , `` which despite our many differences lasted beyond his term in office . '' UK Prime Minister David Cameron described Paisley as `` one of the most forceful and instantly recognizable characters in British politics for nearly half a century , '' adding that he would be greatly missed . `` Of course , Ian Paisley was a controversial figure for large parts of his career . Yet the contribution he made in his later years to political stability in Northern Ireland was huge , '' he said . `` In particular , his decision to take his party into government with Sinn Fein in 2007 required great courage and leadership , for which everyone in these islands should be grateful . '' Irish PM : Divisive figure with legacy of peace . Northern Ireland 's current First Minister and Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson also paid tribute to his larger-than-life predecessor . `` Ian Paisley was one of the largest political figures in Northern Ireland and made a massive contribution , particularly to the process in which we are presently engaged , '' he said . `` He had a personality we are hardly ever likely to see again . '' The Irish Republic 's Prime Minister , or Taoiseach , Enda Kenny said Paisley `` was by any measure a major figure in the history of these islands , '' as he sent his condolences to his family . `` I know that he treasured the peace and friendship that he had lived to see , and helped to build , between our traditions , '' Kenny said . `` His devotion to his faith and to the Unionist people of Northern Ireland was deep and unshakeable . In time , history will come to a fuller judgment of his long career . `` And , while he was of course a divisive figure , his greatest legacy will be one of peace . '' People we 've lost in 2014 . Journalist Peter Taggart reported from Belfast , and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London .
President : David Cameron : Ian Paisley later on made a huge contribution to political life . First minister : Ian Paisley was one of the largest political figures in Northern Ireland . Irish PM : While he was a divisive figure , his greatest legacy will be one of peace . Paisley was a key figure in ending two decades of conflict in Northern Ireland .