Widely regarded as the inspiration for the recast of the James Bond character “M,” she was the first British spy chief to be publicly named and photographed.

Stella Rimington, the first female chief of Britain's MI5, has died at the age of 90. Her family says she died on Sunday, surrounded by loved ones.

Stella Rimington, the first female head of Britain’s domestic security agency, MI5, and the widely credited inspiration for Judi Dench’s M in several James Bond films, died Aug. 3. She was 90. Her family announced the death in a statement shared by her literary agency.