(Reuters) - Robert Benmosche, who headed insurer American International Group (AIG.N) after a massive government bailout at the height of the financial crisis, died Friday at 70, the company said in a statement.

Benmosche, president and chief executive officer of AIG between August 2010 and September 2014, died at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. He had undergone treatment for lung cancer since 2010.

"Bob was a brilliant man who brought tremendous leadership, energy, passion, and tenacity to his job. At AIG, we will honor his legacy by continuing to focus on integrity and performance. He will be deeply missed," said Robert S. Miller, chairman of AIG's board of directors.

The former CEO is credited with steering the company through the turbulent period following its near collapse and rescue by the U.S. government. During his tenure, AIG fully repaid the $182.3 billion government bailout it received in 2008 to stave off bankruptcy.

Benmosche was diagnosed with cancer in late 2010, and announced his intention to leave AIG in June of last year. He left AIG in September, and was succeeded as president and CEO by Peter Hancock.

He was CEO of MetLife Inc (MET.N) from 1998 to 2006. He initially planned to retire from AIG in 2012, but later expressed his desire to carry on.

(Reporting by David Gaffen and Jennifer Ablan: editing by Christian Plumb)