Zaha Hadid: Architect who designed London 2012 Aquatics Centre dies aged 65

  • London

Architect Dame Zaha Hadid - best known for designs such as the London Aquatics Centre for the 2012 Olympic Games - has died aged 65.

The Iraqi-born designer suffered a heart attack while in hospital in Miami, her company said.

Her designs had been commissioned around the world and she was the first woman to be awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal.

Born in 1950, Dame Zaha studied mathematics at the American University in Beirut, before starting her career at London's Architectural Association in 1972.

In 2012, she was honoured in the Queen's Birthday honours list for services to architecture.

Some of Dame Zaha's most eye-catching creations include the Serpentine Sackler Gallery in London and the Riverside Museum at Glasgow's Museum of Transport.

A look back at some of Dame Zaha Hadid's most iconic designs:

Dame Zaha Hadid stands in front of London's Serpentine Sackler gallery. Credit: PA Wire
The London Aquatics Centre, which was built for the 2012 Olympic Games. Credit: PA Wire
Inside view of the London Aquatics Centre. Credit: PA Wire
Chancellor George Osborne tours Dame Zaha's Galaxy SOHO building in Beijing. Credit: Reuters
Inside view of Beijing's Galaxy SOHO building. Credit: Reuters
The Maxxi Museum of Contemporary Art and Architecture in Rome. Credit: Reuters
A futuristic pavilion created for Chanel's Mobile Art exhibition in 2008. Credit: Reuters
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of The Netherlands stand in front of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul, South Korea. Credit: PA Wire