Tributes have poured in from around the world hailing the journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem as a “hero” after her death at the age of 92.

Steinem was remembered as one of the trailblazers for women’s equality after she died on Wednesday in New York City.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Steinem began her career as a freelance journalist in New York City and first gained prominence in 1963 after going undercover as a Playboy Bunny.

The expose for Show magazine revealed the working conditions at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club and the sexist and underpaid life of the bunnies/waitresses.

Despite making a name for herself, Steinem was still not taken seriously by the heavily male-dominated newsroom.

Gloria Steinem began her career as a freelance journalist in New York City. Photo: AAP

She went on to write as a columnist for New York magazine where she reported on political campaigns and progressive social issues including the women’s liberation movement.

Among the stars who have paid tribute to Steinem was the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, actress and activist Jameela Jamil, Law And Order star Mariska Hargitay, British actress Naomi Watts and Hollywood star Brooke Shields.

Meghan said Steinem was a “friend and mentor” who “helped shape the world for women and all people”.

“‘We are linked, not ranked,’ she would tell me, and the bracelet she gave me said exactly that. I still wear it with pride,” she said.

“Privately, she was even better than you would imagine — spending Thanksgiving with our family, introducing me to one of my best friends (forever the champion of female friendship), loving our children with her whole heart, counselling me during hard times, and giving extraordinary advice and perspective with a cup of tea and an unrivalled cheekiness and wit.”

Jamil recounted the last time she saw Steinem and how they sat for hours talking about the world in a room into which she moved decades ago.

“It wasn’t fancy, it was epic. Every inch filled with memories and moments of travels, friendship and political resistance. I was sitting on a floor that circles of women had occupied over the years, planning the liberation of all women,” Jamil said.

“Gloria was a guiding light for me. She supported and encouraged me from the very first time she saw me give a speech about feminism.”

US marathon runner Kathrine Switzer, the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon in 1967, posted on Instagram that she had lost “one of my biggest heroes”.

She said the “world has lost a giant and women have lost one of our greatest leaders”.

Actor and comedian Amy Schumer posted a black and white photograph of Steinem and said: “Walked the walk to her last day. Love to the coven of women who cared for her.

“My hero my sister my friend. Thank you Gloria.”

US actress Rosie O’Donnell said: “Gloria — the mother of the women’s movement – we r all in ur debt.”

CNN international anchor Christiane Amanpour said Steinem would go down in history as “one of the most important activists of all time, leading a movement for the equality of half the world: Its women”.

“She lived a long and passionate life dedicated to this vital and basic cause,” she said.

“She did it with intellectual precision, emotional awareness, humour and beauty. May she rest in peace and may the cause thrive.”

Hollywood actress Brooke Shields described Steinem as a “role model, mentor, inspiration, fighter, friend”.

“You made women feel seen and helped them understand their value. It was a huge blessing in my life to know you, to ruminate with you, to make you laugh, and to call you a friend,” she wrote on Instagram.

“To honour you, may we all continue to fight for change. My heart hurts to say goodbye but your impact and legacy will live on forever in all our hearts.”

Actress Hargitay described Steinem as her “beloved friend and mentor” while Watts said she was “deeply grateful” to have known the activist.

“Whether it was turning pages of your books, watching you speak, or being lucky enough to sit in a circle in your living room where so many people have congregated and shared truths and exchanged ideas … I feel immense gratitude,” she said.

“Your legacy lives in every woman who speaks up, takes up space, chooses her own path, and believes she doesn’t have to ask permission to become who she is.

“I’m deeply grateful to have known you. Even just a little bit.”

US TV presenter Oprah Winfrey praised Steinem for leaving us with “more freedom than she inherited”.