Multiple award-winning actress, Cicely Tyson, has died.

She died on Thursday. She was 96.

Her manager, Larry Thompson, confirmed this news in a statement, saying, “I have managed Miss Tyson’s career for over 40 years, and each year was a privilege and blessing.”

Her memoir, Just As I Am, detailing her life and memories, was published on Tuesday.

Ms. Tyson started her career with a small role in 1957 and her formal debut in 1959, starring in Sidney Poitier’s film, Odds Against Tomorrow.

In her 70-year-long career, Ms. Tyson won a Tony, three Emmys, an honorary Oscar, and a presidential medal of freedom from former President Barack Obama.

Her best work was done on TV, where she refused to play drug addicts, prostitutes, or maids, roles she found denigrating to Black women. She appeared in a number of Tyler Perry movies, as well as some episodes of the hit TV series, How To Get Away With Murder.

Born in East Harlem, Ms. Tyson worked as a secretary for the American Red Cross before becoming a model, appearing in issues of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.

She was married to jazz legend, Miles Davis, from 1981 to 1988.

Ms. Tyson was active in charity and arts organisations such as the Human Family Institute and the American Film Institute. She received awards from the National Council of Negro Women and the Capitol Press Award.

She was one of 25 Black women honoured for their contributions to art, entertainment, and civil rights in 2005 as part of Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball.