American choreographer Trisha Brown, a pioneer of postmodern dance whose work shaped generations of creators, has died at the age of 80, her company said on Monday.

"It is with great sorrow that we share the news that artist Trisha Brown died on March 18th in San Antonio, Texas, after a lengthy illness," the dance company said in a statement.

Brown formally retired five years ago after three decades as a leading light of the international dance world, working mostly out of New York but also notably choreographing for the Paris Opera Ballet.