Famous Iraqi-British architect dies after heart attack

LONDON - Iraqi-British architect Dama Zaha Hadid, who designed a number of astonishing buildings in China, died following a heart attack on Thursday.

In this March 21, 2004 file picture, Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid poses in West Hollywood, Calif. Hadid, whose modernist, futuristic designs included the swooping aquatic center for the 2012 London Olympics, has died aged 65, Thursday, March 31, 2016.  [Photo/Agencies]

The designer died at 65 in a hospital in Miami where she was being treated for a chest infection, her firm Zaha Hadid Architects confirmed Thursday.

In February, the Iraqi-British architect was the first woman to be awarded the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal, one of the most prestigious architecture awards.

The Pritzker-prize winner's famous designs include the Aquatics Centre for the 2012 London Olympics, the Maxxi Museum in Rome and the Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton.

"So sad to hear of death of Zaha Hadid, she was an inspiration and her legacy lives on in wonderful buildings in Stratford and around the world," London Mayor Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter.

Her works in China included Guangzhou Opera House, as well as Wangjing SOHO and Galaxy SOHO in Beijing.