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The office of Senator Dianne Feinstein has just put out a statement about her death., external

"Sadly, Senator Feinstein passed away last night at her home in Washington, DC," it reads.

"Her passing is a great loss for so many, from those who loved and cared for her to the people of California that she dedicated her life to serving."

The statement paid tribute to the long-time senator as someone who "never backed away from a fight on what was just and right".

"At the same time, she was willing to work with anyone, even those she disagreed with".

It adds: "There are a few women who can be called senator, chairman, mayor, wife, mom and grandmother."

"She left a legacy that is undeniable and extraordinary."

Her office says there is much to say about who she was and what she did.

"But for now, we are going to grieve the passing of our beloved boss, mentor, and friend."

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The senator leaves behind one daughter, 66-year-old Katherine Feinstein.

Her daughter, who she had with her first husband, served as a Superior Court Judge in San Francisco for 12 years.

Dianne Feinstein had been married three times. In 1962, she first married Jack Berman. They divorced after three years.

Then she married Bertram Feinstein, who died of colon cancer shortly before she became San Francisco's mayor.

In 1980, Feinstein married investment banker Richard Blum. The two stayed together until he died in 2022 of cancer.

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Dianne Feinstein was the first mayor of San Francisco, California before she focused on national politics.

As the longest serving woman in the US Senate, sworn in in 1992, Feinstein often looked to work across the aisle.

The California Democrat famously took on gun reform and the US intelligence community.

She led a lengthy review of the CIA’s interrogation program which spurred legislation banning some methods of torture.

The senator helped enact the federal Assault Weapons Ban in 1994, which prohibited the sale, manufacture and import of military-style assault weapons. Since its expiration in 2014, Feinstein has pushed for more restrictive gun laws.

She was the first woman to chair the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

In 2022, Feinstein also authored the Respect for Marriage Act to enshrine marriage equality into federal law.

Tributes from Dianne Feinstein's colleagues in Congress are already appearing on social media.

The long-time senator is being remembered as an inspiration and as someone who broke barriers in US politics through her advocacy and public service.

For months, the California Democrat had faced questions about alleged memory and cognitive issues.

In April, Feinstein was admitted to hospital after a "minor fall" at her home, the latest in a series of health concerns.

The former San Francisco mayor had previously announced plans to retire at the end of next year, but resisted growing calls for her to step down.

In a statement made after she announced her retirement plans, US President Joe Biden called her a "passionate defender of civil liberties" with a "strong voice for national security policies that keep us safe while honouring our values".

Earlier this year, she was absent from Capitol Hill for nearly three months following a case of shingles.

She took on lighter duties upon her return and moved around the US Capitol using a wheelchair. She sometimes displayed confusion during interviews, and in committee hearings or floor votes.

Brandon Livesay
Live reporter

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Dianne Feinstein, the California senator who was a trailblazing politician and served for more than three decades, has died aged 90.

Feinstein was the oldest member of the US Senate and had voted as recently as Thursday.

We will be bringing you tributes and reactions as they happen, as well as touching on some of the remarkable moments the Democrat achieved during her lengthy career.