Renowned French brothel keeper Madame Claude dies

Nice:  Madame Claude, considered France's most famous brothel keeper whose clients were said to include John F Kennedy and Marlon Brando, has died.

Real name Fernande Grudet, she passed away on Saturday in the Mediterranean resort of Nice at the age of 92 after a long period in hospital, according to a death certificate seen by AFP today.

During her peak in the 1960s, she presided over a stable of some 500 high-class prostitutes and had a client list that reportedly included Marlon Brando among others.

Claude's brothel near the Champs Elysees in Paris had a reputation as the most exclusive in the world.