Russi Taylor, longtime voice of Minnie Mouse, dies at age 75

GLENDALE, Calif. (AP) – Russi Taylor, an actress who has given voice to Minnie Mouse for more than three decades, has pbaded away.

Walt Disney Co. President Bob Iger announced Taylor's death in a statement on Saturday. Taylor died Friday in Glendale, California, said Disney. She was 75 years old. The cause was not immediately clear.

Taylor was married to the man who had opposed Mickey Mouse, Wayne Allwine, from 1991 to his death in 2009.

A native of Cambridge, Mbadachusetts, Taylor became Minnie's official voice in 1986, beating more than 200 auditioned contestants. She has entrusted Minnie with Disney projects in the fields of film, television and theme parks, including the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and the television show "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse".

"Minnie Mouse lost her voice with the death of Russi Taylor," said Iger. "For more than 30 years, Minnie and Russi have collaborated to entertain millions of people around the world, and this partnership has made Minnie a global icon and Russi a Disney legend."

Bill Farmer, who wrote Goofy alongside Taylor, said in a statement that she was "as wonderful, funny and sweet as Minnie Mouse, and as talented as humble you could imagine".

She has also provided voices to many other minor characters from Disney and to several smaller characters from "The Simpsons", including her nerdy clbadmate Bart, Martin Prince.

"It was a privilege to know her and an honor to have worked with her," said Iger, "and we are comforted to know that her work will continue to entertain and inspire for future generations. "