New York, June 30: Katharine Hepburn, a Hollywood icon who won a record four Oscars, died yesterday at the age of 96 surrounded by her family and friends, her entourage said. In fading health for several years, Hepburn died at her home in old Saybrook, Connecticut yesterday afternoon. A family spokeswoman gave the cause of death as "old age." Tributes immediately poured in and broadway announced that the lights would be dimmed on the us theatre capital tomorrow night. US President George W Bush recalled Hepburn as "one of the nation's artistic treasures." "Katharine Hepburn delighted audiences with her unique talent for more than six decades," bush said in a statement. "She was known for her intelligence and wit and will be remembered as one of the nation's artistic treasures.


Elizabeth Taylor paid a glowing tribute to her fellow acting legend and role model.

"I think every actress in the world looked up to her with a kind of reverence and a sense of, 'oh boy, if only I could be like her'," Talor said in a statement distributed by her publicist.

Hepburn's family said she would be remembered through her films.


"Those of us who knew her well and loved her will miss her terribly, but through her films, generations to come will discover her humor and grace, her keen intelligence and her soaring independence," said Cynthia McFadden, the executor of Hepburn's Estate, reading a statement from the family.


Bureau Report