Jean Harris, the woman who rose to feminist fame for the 1980 murder of her boyfriend and Scarsdale Diet inventor Dr. Herman Tarnower, has died at age 89.

Harris, a headmistress, started dating cardiologist Tarnower in 1966, when she was 43 years old. They continued the relationship for 14 years, until Tarnower left Harris for his younger office assistant. Harris shot and killed Tarnower, who authored the best-selling self-help book The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet, and was put on trial in Westchester for second-degree murder.

She was convicted and sentenced to 15 years to life, but the trial inspired a number of books and television movies (including the recent Annette Bening/Ben Kingsley HBO flick Mrs. Harris), and elevated Harris to cult notoriety status. She was also considered a feminist icon for showcasing the struggles of older women in society.

Harris was released from prison in 1993, and began advocating for the rights of female inmates. Her son said she died Sunday at an assisted-living home in Connecticut.