Jennifer Aniston’s estranged Mother Nancy Dow has passed away at the age of 79.

The star confirmed the news in a statement to People magazine.

She said: “It is with great sadness that my brother John and I announce the passing of our Mother Nancy Dow.

“She was 79 years old and passed peacefully surrounded by family and friends after enduring a long illness.

“We ask that our family’s privacy be respected as we grieve our loss.”

It is unknown how Dow died, but there have been reports the former model had suffered a series of strokes and had lost the ability to speak and walk.

The former Friends actress is said to have visited her mother for the first time in nearly five years earlier this month.

Aniston stopped speaking to Dow after revelations she made about their relationship in her 1999 book From Mother And Daughter To Friends: A Memoir.

Their feud Meant Dow Missed her daughter’s wedding to Brad Pitt in 2000.

It is also believed Aniston did not invite her mother to her wedding to actor Justin Theroux last August.

But in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year, Aniston insisted they were on good terms, despite their past.

“We’re all fine,” the 47-year-old actress said.

“She was critical. She was very critical of me.

“Because she was a model, she was gorgeous, stunning. I wasn’t.

“I never was. I honestly still don’t think of myself in that sort of light, which is fine.

“She was also very unforgiving. She would hold grudges that I just found so petty.”

Aniston is the only daughter of Dow and Days of Our Lives actor John Aniston.

They were married from 1965 to 1980, but broke up when their daughter was nine.

Dow was previously married to musician Jack Melick, and they have a son called John T Melick III, who works as a director in Los Angeles.

She appeared in shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, The Wild Wild West, and 2004 drama Pure.