Dame Leonie Kramer AC DBE, the first woman to be appointed chancellor of the University of Sydney and the former ABC chair, has died aged 91.
Dame Leonie was appointed a Professor of Australian Literature in 1968 and served on numerous boards and committees, including as the chair of the ABC from 1982 to 1983.
She served as University of Sydney chancellor for a decade but quit in 2001 before its Senate was about to sack her, partly due to her alleged authoritarian style.
University of Sydney vice-chancellor Dr Michael Spence said public life had lost a "significant figure".
"The University expresses its condolences to Dame Leonie's family and her large community of friends," he said.
In a statement on behalf of her family, St Luke's Care said she died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
They said arrangements have been made for a private funeral and an announcement will be made regarding a more public celebration of her life in due course.
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