Ex-Supreme Court Justice O'Connor announces dementia diagnosis

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Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has announced she is withdrawing from public life after being diagnosed with dementia.

In a letter released on Tuesday, the 88-year-old said doctors had diagnosed her with early stage dementia and "probably Alzheimer's disease".

Justice O'Connor was the first woman to be appointed to the US top court, and a key swing vote. She retired in 2006.

She served as a visiting judge and civics educator after retiring.

In a public letter, addressed to "friends and fellow Americans", Justice O'Connor said doctors first diagnosed her "some time ago".

"As this condition has progressed, I am no longer able to participate in public life," she wrote.

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