Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall dies

Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall has died at her New York home at the age of 89, after suffering from a serious stroke.

The media was alerted to the sad news by her personal Twitter account, which published a touching Tweet reading: “With deep sorrow, yet with great gratitude for her amazing life, we confirm the passing of Lauren Bacall.”

One of Hollywood’s most iconic femme fatales, she was known above all for her roles in a series of 1940s thrillers, including The Big Sleep, alongside her co-star and love of her life, Humphrey Bogart. The pair married in 1945 and remained together until his death in 1957.

Other notable films in which Bacall starred include Murder on the Orient Express, and John Wayne’s 1976 film The Shootist. Her prominent role alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1953 comedy How to Marry a Millionaire, displays the versatility of an actress whose professional career spanned seven decades.

Bacall was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for the 1996 film The Mirror has Two Faces, and won an honorary Oscar in 2009.

Aside from her glittering acting career, Bacall was known for her sturdy character and strong political views. A life-long Democrat, off screen, she campaigned for liberal causes and criticised the blandness of modern Hollywood.

Lauren Bacall leaves behind three children, a legion of fans, and an unforgettable legacy to classic cinema.