Watch Dame Anita Roddick speak earlier this month about setting up her business

Dame Anita Roddick, the pioneering Body Shop founder, has died tonight after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

The 64-year-old passed away at 6.30pm at St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester after suddenly being taken ill yesterday evening.

A statement released by her family tonight said Dame Anita had been admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit after complaining of a sudden, acute headache.

Her husband, Gordon, and daughters Sam and Justine were by her side as she died.

The statement said: “Gordon, Justine and Sam Roddick are very sad to announce that, after suffering a major brain haemorrhage, Anita Roddick died at 6.30pm this evening at the age of 64.

“Anita Roddick was admitted to St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester, close to her home, yesterday evening when she collapsed after complaining of a sudden headache.

“Mrs Roddick was admitted to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and her husband Gordon and two daughters, Sam and Justine, were with her when she died.”

Dame Anita's business has long been admired for its focus on promoting human rights and environmental issues.

In her mission statement on the website of the Body Shop, which was founded in 1976, Dame Anita wrote: "Businesses have the power to do good. That's why The Body Shop's Mission Statement opens with the overriding commitment: 'To dedicate our business to the pursuit of social and environmental change.' We use our stores and our products to help communicate human rights and environmental issues."

Tributes poured in within minutes of the announcement of her death tonight.

John Sauven, executive director of Greenpeace, said: “She was a amazing inspiration to those around her, not just in environmental and human rights issues, which were two of her passions.

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