R.I.P...

The last of the great Hollywood movie stars has left us.

Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79.

The actress died of congestive heart failure in the early hours of this morning.

Taylor's publicist Sally Morrison said in a statement: "She was surrounded by her children - Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd and Maria Burton."

Her son Michael added: "My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour and love.

"Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world."



He continued: "Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished.

"We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for mum having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

Taylor had been admittied to Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles in January for her heart condition. Her health was reported to have been improving over the last month.



The screen icon won the Academy Award for 'Best Actress' in 1960 for BUtterfield 8 and again in 1966 for Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.



She starred opposite Richard Burton in 1963 movie Cleopatra and the pair developed a relationship on set and married in 1964. She was married eight times in total, including a second time to Burton in 1975 after they divorced a year earlier.



She became best friends with Michael Jackson and continued to stand up for him publically throughout the rest of his life. When he died, she stated that her heart was completely broken and would never heal again.



Taylor was probably the first big celebrity in the world (along with Madonna) to start the fight against Aids, and she continued to do so throughout her life. The two women were said to have had much respect for each other and their work.

A statement from Madonna has just been released:

"I admired and respected her not only as an actress but for her amazing and inspiring work as an AIDS activist. She was one of a kind."


Taylor is survived by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Kylie Minogue just put on her Twitter:

RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor.....Like a pure white diamond you'll shine on and on and on.

Boy George posted:

R.I.P the amazing Liz Taylor, goddess, actress, aids activist and one of the worlds true beauties!

RuPaul:

Elizabeth Taylor has sashayed away, but will live in our memories forever...

Belinda Carlisle:

RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor she really was one of the Beautiful greats love and light to her family And Friends x
Simon LeBon:

Goodbye to one of the great humanists of our time; the ever beautiful Elizabeth Taylor.

George Michael:

"Such a sad day, Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the Hollywood greats, and a fantastically charming woman. She also did a great deal in the last 25 years to help the world deal with the HIV epidemic. I am proud to have known her if only a little. She was also the only person I've ever met that had violet eyes. They were genuinely violet. So beautiful."