Rue McClanahan, from popular 80s sitcom 'The Golden Girls', has died of stroke early Thursday morning. She was 76.

McClanahan played sexually liberated Southern belle Blanche Deveraux in 'The Golden Girls', an American sitcom focusing on four older women living together which aired from 1985 to 1992.

The Oklahoma-born actress was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 but fully recovered from it and went on to give talks to cancer support groups on "aging gracefully". She underwent triple bypass surgery in November last year and while still recovering, suffered a minor stroke in January.

McClanahan started off-Broadway before moving on to television where she gained attention from starring in 'Another World'. She then appeared in 'Maude', which also starred former 'Golden Girl' co-star Bea Arthur as the title character, before becoming a regular cast member on the series that made her a household name.

Her passing makes Betty White, who recently enjoyed a favourable stint as a guest host on 'Saturday Night Live', the only surviving 'Golden Girl' left. Arthur died of cancer last April while Estelle Getty, who played Sophia, passed away due to natural causes after long-suffering from Lewd body dementia in 2008.

"Rue was a close and dear friend. I treasure our relationship," said White in a statement. "It hurts more than I ever thought it would, if that's even possible."