Golden Girls and Maude Star Bea Arthur Dies at 86

Iconic sitcom star Bea Arthur has died at age 86, a family spokesperson confirmed Saturday morning.

Arthur had been battling cancer, according to spokesman Dan Watt, but there are no further details at the time, TMZ reported.

As a rising sitcom star in the seventies, Arthur made history portraying the strong, feminist title character in Maude, in which her character and the show tackled controversial subjects including abortion.

Arthur is perhaps best know for her hilarious portrayal of Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls.