Walt Disney's daughter dies at 79

The Walt Disney Company has praised the generosity of Diane Disney Miller, the daughter of Sir Walt Disney, who has died.

Philanthropist Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Sir Walt Disney, has died at the age of 79.

Flags at Disney theme parks and the Disney studio lot in Burbank, outside Los Angeles, will be flown at half-mast in her honour, The Walt Disney Company said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of Diane Disney Miller and our thoughts are with her family during this difficult time," said Robert Iger, president of the Walt Disney Company.

"As the beloved daughter of Walt Disney and one of his inspirations for creating Disneyland, she holds a special place in the history of The Walt Disney Company and in the hearts of fans everywhere."

According to the LA Times, Disney Miller died in her house in Napa, north of San Francisco, not long after a fall in September.

Born in Los Angeles the elder daughter of Walt and Lillian Disney, she married Ron Miller, who was chief executive of the Walt Disney Company from 1980-1984.

She was a renowned philanthropist and crucial in creating the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the home of the LA Philharmonic, donating $US50 million ($A53.17 million) to launch the project and staunchly defending the vision of architect Frank Gehry.

"She will be remembered and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her," said the current Disney chief.

Walt Disney died in December 1966, aged 65.


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Walt Disney's daughter dies at 79 | SBS News