Walt Disney's daughter dies, aged 79

Los Angeles - Philanthropist Diane Disney Miller, daughter of Walt Disney, died Tuesday at the age of 79 near San Francisco, the US entertainment giant announced.

Flags at Disney theme parks and the Disney studio lot in Burbank, outside Los Angeles, will be flown at half-mast in her honour, it said, praising her "grace and generosity and tireless work to preserve her father's legacy.

"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, following 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 US$50 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.