Famous TV star Rue McClanahan passed away due to a brain hemorrhage at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She helped make The Golden Girls one of the longest running shows on television. She played the acclaimed Southern belle Blanche Devereaux and her character was liked by audiences across the country. She had earlier been treated for breast cancer in 1997 and also underwent heart bypass surgery last year.

She was the youngest of the four actresses who played the Golden Girls. The others were Bea Arthur (Dorothy), Betty White (Rose) and Estelle Getty (Dorothy's mother, Sophia). From all these women, only Ms. White, 88 is currently living.

The program took the No. 1 position from its first episode in the year 1985. It remained in the top ten for six years and captured lots of Emmy awards. Ms. McClanahan also received an award for the best actress for her performance in the year 1987.

The serial ended in 1992 but continues to enjoy profitable reruns. Critics also point out that shows like this were a precursor to current shows like Sex and the City.

Ms. McClanahan also featured in the sitcom 'All in the Family and Maude' where she played the middle-aged title character of Ms. Arthur. She also acted in many movies and received a lot of acclaim from the critics for her performance.

She was born in Healdton, Okla., on Feb. 21, 1934. She kept moving towns as her father was a building contractor.