LONDON: The British woman who gave birth to the world’s first test tube baby has died aged 64, her family said on Wednesday.

Lesley Brown made history on July 22, 1978 when her daughter Louise was born following pioneering in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. She died in hospital in Bristol, southwest England, on June 6 after a short illness, her family said.

She conceived following treatment by scientist Robert Edwards and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe. Brown's family held a private funeral service for her in Bristol on Wednesday.

“Mum was a very quiet and private person who ended up in the world spotlight because she wanted a family so much,” said Louise Brown. “We are all missing her terribly.”—AFP