The French-Iranian artist and film-maker, Marjane Satrapi, who became famous for her graphic novel series and film Persepolis, has died aged 56. 

The official residence of the President of France in Paris, Élysée Palace, confirmed Ms Satrapi’s passing in a statement on Thursday, hailing her devotion to freedom. 

“Artist, comic book author, and filmmaker, Marjane Satrapi captivated a global audience with “Persepolis.”

“The palace added, “Her passing marks the loss of a leading figure in French culture and an artist devoted to freedom, whose work carried a universal message and earned her immense international renown,” the statement said.

Ms Satrapi, who reportedly grew up in a communist-loving family in Tehran, first published Persepolis in 2000 as an autobiography, detailing the story of a young girl growing up during and after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

The graphic novel was subsequently adapted into an animated series, which went on to earn best animated feature nomination at the Oscars. 

During her lifetime, Ms Satrapi was an outspoken critic of the Iranian government and regularly attended protests in support of freedom and rights of Iranian women. 

She lived in France until her death after arriving in the European country permanently in 1994 at the order of her parents, citing the restrictions in Iran. She later gained French citizenship in 2006. 

“The President of the Republic and his wife pay tribute to a great artist who transformed an Iranian childhood into a universal fable. They extend their heartfelt condolences to her family, loved ones, and all who cherished her,” the palace added.