Having being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969, the track star passed away in Perth aged 79.

Cuthbert burst onto the scene at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne as an 18-year-old.

Having set an Olympic record in the heats of 11.4sec, she won gold in the 100 metres before also winning the 200m title.

Cuthbert then combined with Shirley de la Hunty, Norma Fleming and Fleur Wenham to win the 4x100m relay while setting a world record. 

The result ensured Cuthbert became the first Australian to win three Olympic gold medals at the same Games.

After injury prevented her from defending her titles at Rome 1960, Cuthbert was named co-captain of the Australian track team for Tokyo 1964.

It was there, she claimed her fourth and final Olympic gold medal in the 400m.

Prior to the end of the century only swimmers Dawn Fraser and Murray Rose had matched Cuthbert’s gold medal tally while another swimmer, Libby Trickett, also now has four.

At Athens 2004, swimmer Ian Thorpe became the only Australian to have more gold medals than Cuthbert with five.

At the Opening Ceremony of Sydney 2000, Cuthbert carried the Olympic Torch.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has extended its "condolences to the Cuthbert family, her friends, her carer Rhonda Gillam and a nation that idolised the track great".

"Betty was the 'Golden Girl' of the track and a national heroine," said AOC President John Coates.

"It’s very sad to lose such a great champion.

"Betty battled her illness for many years and showed tremendous courage, but more importantly she always managed to smile."

Cuthbert was an inaugural inductee to the International Association of Athletics Federations Hall of Fame in March 2012 with Jesse Owens and Carl Lewis among others. 

She is also a member of the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame.