An abortion doctor who became a leading pro-life activist has died at age 84.

Dr. Bernard Nathanson worked at an abortion clinic in New York. In 1969 he helped found the National Association for the Repeal of Abortions Laws, now called the NARAL Pro-Choice America.

He said that he had a change of heart after seeing ultrasound images of the babies he was aborting.

Nathanson estimated he was responsible for 75,000 abortions before he quit doing the procedures.

"I accuse Planned Parenthood and all its co-conspirators in the abortion industry of consistent conspiracy of silence, of keeping women in the dark with respect to the true nature of abortion," Nathanson said in the pro-life film, "The Silent Scream, which he narrated.

His wife, Christine Reisner-Nathanson, said he died Monday at his Manhattan home after a long battle with cancer.