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.

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.

Dame Stella Rimington, MI5's first female director general, has died at the age of 90, her family has said. Dame Stella, who headed the security service from 1992 to 1996, was widely credited as being the model for Dame Judi Dench's M in the James Bond films.