Frederik Meijer, who built the regional retail powerhouse Meijer Inc. while nurturing his lifelong love of the arts, has died at age 91.

The company confirmed his death in a statement Friday evening, saying the billionaire died at the Spectrum Health System in Grand Rapids after suffering a stroke in his home in the early morning hours.

Meijer was credited with starting the supercenter store format in the 1960s that made Meijer a successful Midwest retailer. By 2009, Meijer had 180 of the giant stores throughout Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio with annual sales of $15 billion.

The family thanked "everyone for their thoughts and prayers" and asked that their privacy be respected.

Funeral arrangements are pending. The death was first reported by The Grand Rapids Press.