Miss Kitt died in New York, where she was being treated for colon cancer at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. Her hits included Santa Baby and Let's Do It, but she was best known for her portrayal of Catwoman in the Batman television series of the 1960s.
Her publicist, Andrew Freedman, said: "She was certainly a legendary performer and while I think there may have been many imitations, she was an original."
She was one of the few artists who have been nominated for Tony, Grammy and Emmy awards.
Among others paying tribute were the Green party in Australia after she helped save the Franklin River in the 1980s.
The Greens leader, Senator Bob Brown, said: "Ms Kitt visited Tasmania and spoke out in favour of saving the Franklin River and gave a great boost to the campaigners in their darkest hour.
"It was a brave thing for her to do and her contribution was important to saving Tasmania's great wild river."
Miss Kitt was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. It was treated but recurred after a period of remission.
She refused to give into the disease, brazenly continuing to flaunt her attributes. In a 2007 interview she said: "I show my legs. I love to tease men with my legs.
"I love men and I like to get their attention. Every time I see a man, I want to tease him."
Earlier this year she was touring in Britain and appeared well. According to her official website, she had US dates announced as far ahead as November next year.
"She came back strongly. She had been performing until two months ago," Freedman said.
Miss Kitt was born in South Carolina in 1927 and there has been much conjecture over the years over her parentage. In her autobiography, she wrote that her mother was black and Cherokee while her father was white, and she was left to live with relatives after her mother's new husband objected to taking in a mixed-race girl.
One who always enjoyed playing on her seductiveness, she revelled in her "sex kitten" image. Orson Welles once called Kitt "the most exciting woman alive" and, along with Lena Horne, she was one of the first African-American sex symbols.
Miss Kitt picked up a string of awards during her long career, winning two Emmys and being nominated for a third, as well as a Grammy. She also had two Tony nominations.
Her most famous song, Santa baby, was recorded in 1953 and went gold this year. Mr Freedman said that she received the gold record before she died.
He said despite her awards, she was at her best in her nightclub act, which allowed her to use her feline, seductive manner to its fullest.
"She loved cabaret performances," Freedman said. "If there was ever an opportunity to do a small intimate venue with about 150 people, that was always her preference."
- telegraph.co.uk
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