First woman to head MI5 dies aged 90

DAME Stella Rimington, who “broke through barriers” as the first female boss of MI5, has died at the age of 90.

- Ellie Ng

The trailblazer 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, South London, and passed away on Sunday night surrounded by her loved ones and dogs.

Her family said she “held on to the life she loved until her last breath”.

She joined MI5 full time in 1969, having been recruited two years earlier as a part-time typist by its office in the British High Commission in New Delhi.

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