His wife Blanche d'Alpuget released a statement on Thursday night confirming she will hold a private funeral with his children Sue, Stephen, Rosslyn and stepson, Louis, and his grandchildren in Sydney in coming weeks.

"Today we lost Bob Hawke, a great Australian - many would say the greatest Australian of the post-war era," she said.

"Bob was dearly loved by his family, and so many friends and colleagues. We will miss him.

"The golden bowl is broken."

Mr Hawke has died just two days before the federal election with his beloved Labor Party ahead in the polls.

Just this week he wrote an open letter to the people of Australia, urging them to elect Bill Shorten as prime minister on Saturday.

"While Bill's political opponents argue his trade union background is a liability for a future prime minister, I consider it an asset, as it was for me," Mr Hawke wrote.

"It gives him the experience to achieve consensus with business, unions and community-based organisations for the challengers that lie ahead."

He served as Australian prime minister from 1983-1991, making him Labor's longest-serving PM.

Prime Minister Bob Hawke celebrates the America's Cup victory in 1983 ...