The ex-Black Caps batsman had been suffering from lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, for a second time.
He received the all-clear from the disease in 2012 but confirmed in September 2014 that it had returned.
Auckland-born Crowe is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s best batsman, scoring 17 centuries and 5,444 runs in 77 Tests at an average of 45.36.
His family announced his death “with heavy hearts”, adding that he “passed away peacefully” on Thursday.
Crowe captained the Kiwis in 16 Test matches and his highest score was 299 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1991.
Named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1985, he was player of the tournament at the 1992 World Cup, scoring 456 runs in nine matches.
