Dame Stella Rimington, the first female director general of MI5, has died aged 90, her family announced.
Dubbed the “housewife superspy” when she came into the role, she is widely credited as the model for Dame Judi Dench’s M in the James Bond films.
She was born on May 13 1935 in South Norwood and died on Sunday night.
In a statement, her family said: “She died surrounded by her beloved family and dogs and determinedly held on to the life she loved until her last breath.”
