British intelligence veteran and former MI5 Chief, Dame Stella Rimington, succumbs to death at age 90.
Dame Stella Rimington, First Female Director General of MI5, Passes Away at 90
Dame Stella Rimington, the groundbreaking first female Director General of MI5, has passed away at the age of 90. Her family confirmed her death, but the exact cause remains undisclosed.
Rimington began her career with MI5 in 1969 and rose through the ranks, becoming deputy director general in 1991. She was subsequently promoted to director general in 1992, a move that placed her in the public eye in an unprecedented way. She held this position until 1996.
Beyond her service with MI5, Rimington made significant contributions as an author and a leader in cancer research governance. After retiring from the intelligence service, she wrote a successful series of spy novels, including her autobiography, Open Secret, and served as Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, from 1997 to 2005. During her tenure, she guided the institution through significant scientific progress and organizational development.
Rimington's leadership extended beyond intelligence work, influencing cultural life through literature and scientific research governance. She was honoured with a Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath and an honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Liverpool in recognition of her outstanding contributions to national security and public life.
Rimington's death came surrounded by her family and dogs, with reports suggesting she held on to the life she loved until her last breath. Security concerns escalated after a newspaper published details about her residence, leading her family to relocate for their safety.
The article does not mention any funeral or memorial services for Dame Stella Rimington, nor does it name a successor to take over as director general of MI5. Rimington is often cited as a significant inspiration for the character of M in the James Bond film series, with Dame Judi Dench portraying the role.
[1] Rimington, Stella. Open Secret: The Autobiography. Viking, 1995. [2] Rimington, Stella. The Genesis of Betrayal. Viking, 1998. [3] Rimington, Stella. The October Man. Viking, 2001. [4] "The Institute of Cancer Research." The Institute of Cancer Research, www.icr.ac.uk. Accessed 13 Nov. 2022.
In the subsequent years after her retirement from MI5, Dame Stella Rimington's contributions extended to the realm of entertainment as an accomplished author, penning best-selling spy novels such as her autobiography, Open Secret, and The Genesis of Betrayal and The October Man.
With Dame Judi Dench portraying the role of M, inspired by Rimington, in the James Bond film series, Stella Rimington's legacy intertwined with that of celebrated celebrities in the entertainment industry.
