New York, New York – US feminist icon, journalist, and activist Gloria Steinem has died at her home in New York at the age of 92. Her foundation announced her passing on Thursday.

"Yesterday, Gloria Steinem passed away peacefully at her home in New York City, surrounded by some of the many who loved her," Gloria's Foundation said in a statement posted on Instagram, without specifying her cause of death.

Before becoming a leading figure in the women's rights movement, Steinem got her start in journalism in the 1960s, writing an expose of the pervasive sexism faced by cocktail waitresses at New York's Playboy Club.

She credited her feminist awakening to a 1969 meeting where women spoke up about the experience of having abortions. She then moved from writing to public speaking.

Donald Trump Trump to spend staggering amount on new White House bowling alley project

Steinem spent decades traveling across the US and the world, attending conferences and protests.

In the 1970s, Steinem founded Ms. Magazine and the National Women's Political Caucus, and organized the first National Women's Conference in Houston.

She helped millions of women cultivate a sense of self-worth and inspired many to fight for equal rights. Steinem led protests. In 1975, she attended New York City's first celebration of International Women's Day in 1975.

Steinem ushered in sweeping cultural transformations throughout her long life, never giving up the fight for equal job opportunities, wages, universal childcare, reproductive rights, civil rights, freedom for political prisoners, or ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment.

"Gloria's near-century on earth were years well-lived, and she continued working for equality until the very end," her foundation said.

"Gloria's greatest gift was her ability to listen to others, to make others feel seen and heard… Gloria lived true to her independent spirit, always with curiosity and a great sense of humor."