The cat, who has become a network star thanks to her unique look, has passed away • Millions of followers on social networks are mourning • Her owners: "Bringing magic to the world"

• Lil Bob // Photo: Facebook

Regular cats also become net stars, but the distinctive appearance of "Lil Bob," the billowing and innocent-looking cat, separated her from the herd. Tonight, Bob's owner announced that the cat that had collected millions of fans had died in her sleep.

A post on Lil Bob's Facebook page reads: "Today we have lost the most magical, purest and most kind living thing in our world. Yesterday Bob was still happy and full of love when she was with us in our bed, but she died in her sleep."

"We were always candid about her medical condition," the owner said, noting that the cat had an infection in her bones, "but we did not expect her to die so suddenly and without warning. I wholeheartedly believe that she chose to leave her body so we would not have to make that difficult decision."

The owner went on to say that during her lifetime, proceeds from the sale of products with Bob's figure, which totaled nearly NIS 2.5 million, were donated to genetic research, and even a fund was opened for her pet with special needs.