The first female director of MI5 has died. She became the inspiration for M in the James Bond films.

The first female head of British counterintelligence, MI5, Stella Rimington, died on August 3 at the age of 90. The MI5 press service announced this. According to Sky News, Rimington was the inspiration for the character M in the James Bond films, as reported by RBC.

"Stella passed away on August 3, 2025. We offer our condolences to her family, friends, and former colleagues," the intelligence agency said in a statement.

The cause and circumstances of death have not been disclosed.

Stella Rimington, born in 1935, joined MI5 in 1969. She worked in various departments, including counter-subversion, counter-espionage, and counter-terrorism. In 1992, she was appointed the first female director of MI5. Rimington led the agency until 1996, when she was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath. After leaving MI5, she served as a non-executive director at companies such as Marks & Spencer and BG Group.

In 2001, she published her autobiography, Top Secret. She later devoted herself entirely to literature, authoring several novels about the world of intelligence and the fight against terrorism.

The current head of MI5, Sir Ken McCallum, expressed his condolences on behalf of all intelligence officers:

"She was the first publicly acknowledged Director General of MI5. Under her leadership, a new era of openness and transparency in MI5's work to keep the country safe began. That legacy continues to this day," McCallum said.

She is believed to be the inspiration for M, played by Judi Dench, in the James Bond films.