Iconic French actress Anouk Aimée dies aged 92

French actress Anouk Aimée, who starred in 70 films throughout her career, has died aged 92.

Her death was announced by her daughter, actress Manuella Papatakis, on social media: "With my daughter, Galaad, and my granddaughter, Mila, we have the great sadness to announce the departure of my mother Anouk Aimée. I was right by her side when she passed away this morning at her home in Paris."

No cause of death has been given yet.

Born in Paris in 1932, Aimée's real name was Françoise Dreyfus, which she changed after landing her first role as Anouk in La Maison sous la mer (The House Under the Sea). Screenwriter Jacques Prévert reportedly suggested the surname Aimée, which means beloved in French.

Her sultry, screen siren energy made her a hit with European arthouse directors and led to starring roles in a string of masterpieces that included Jacques Demy's Lola and Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita and 8 1/2.

Other notable films included André Delvaux's Un Soir, un Train (One Night... A Train), Bernardo Bertolucci's Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man, Robert Altman's Prêt à Porter (Ready to Wear) and Claude Lelouch's A Man and a Woman, which earned her an Academy Award nomination - the first for an actress in a French-speaking role.

Her final film was made in 2012, Charlotte de Turckheim’s Mince alors! (Big is Beautiful).

Aimée had many admirers throughout her life, including, reportedly, French filmmakers Claude Lelouchm and Jean-Pierre Mocky, the latter of whom spoke about his romantic feelings for the actress in his autobiography 'M le Mocky'.

The actress was married and divorced four times, her longest lasting from 1970 to 1978 with British actor Albert Finney.

She is survived by her daughter Manuella Papatakis.