Molly Kelly, the Aboriginal heroine of the film Rabbit-Proof Fence, has died with one regret: she was never reunited with the daughter taken from her 60 years ago.

Molly died in her sleep at Jigalong, Western Australia, after going for her afternoon nap on Tuesday. She was believed to be 87.

In 1931 the then Molly Craig, probably 14, and two younger girls were taken from their families in the East Pilbara and transported to Moore River, north of Perth. The three girls escaped the next day and began their walk home to Jigalong.