Former Miss Nigeria 1986 Ms. Rita Anuku, 47, is dead.

A statement released by the family said the late beauty queen passed away on Thursday at an undisclosed Abuja hospital.

It said Anuku, who became a beauty queen at age 18, as a secondary school leaver, had been battling with cancer for two years.

The deceased, who is also the younger sister of Nollywood actor Hanks Anuku, is survived by four children -- three girls and a boy.

Burial arrangement is expected to be announced by the family soon.