Carrie Fisher, the actress best known as Star Wars‘ Princess Leia Organa, has died after suffering a heart attack. She was 60.

Family spokesman Simon Halls released a statement on behalf of Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd:

“It is with a very deep sadness that Billie Lourd confirms that her beloved mother Carrie Fisher passed away at 8:55 this morning,” reads the statement.

“She was loved by the world and she will be missed profoundly. Our entire family thanks you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Fisher was flying from London to Los Angeles on Friday, Dec. 23, when she went into cardiac arrest. Paramedics removed her from the flight and rushed her to a nearby hospital, where she was treated for a heart attack. She later died in the hospital.

The daughter of showbiz veteran Debbie Reynolds and entertainer Eddie Fisher, Fisher was brought up in the sometimes tumultuous world of film, theatre and television.

Montreal ComicCon organizer Cliff Caporale praised Fisher for helping attract women to the sci-fi genre.

"I think the female fandom is even stronger because she came at a time in 1977 when that kind of hero didn't exist," he said. "It was always the princess that needed to be rescued and yes, she needed to be rescued in this film but not in the same vein. She kind of threw it in their faces - 'You guys are gonna rescume me?'"

Fisher hosted a gala at the 2016 Just for Laughs Festival and those who worked with her remembered her fondly for her candor and wit, said JFL Chief Operating Officer Bruce Hills.

"She wanted to talk about being a woman and what she's going through," he said. "She said she wanted to be really honest and transparent with the audience... We were so privileged to have her at the festival this summer."

Carrie Fisher was smart, funny, talented, surprising, and always a hell of a fun time to be around. Family Guy will miss her immensely. — Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) December 27, 2016

Carrie Fisher had a brilliant mind. I will miss her insight her wit and her beautiful voice. — Rob Reiner (@robreiner) December 27, 2016

I thought I had got what I wanted under the tree. I didn't. In spite of so many thoughts and prayers from so many. I am very, very sad. — Anthony Daniels (@ADaniels3PO) December 27, 2016