Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court, has died at the age of 93.
She was appointed by former president Ronald Reagan in 1981 and retired from America’s highest court in 2006.
Ms O’Connor died in Phoenix of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness, the court said.
Her nomination in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan and subsequent confirmation by the Senate ended 191 years of male exclusivity on the high court.
A native of Arizona who grew up on her family’s sprawling ranch, O’Connor wasted little time building a reputation as a hard worker who wielded considerable political clout on the nine-member court.
She was known as an unwavering voice of moderate conservatism on the US’ top legal body.