\nBy Last of the Hollywood greats: Dame Elizabeth Taylor has died in hospital aged 79 of congestive heart failure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor has died at the age of 79, her publicist confirmed in a statement today. The star passed away from congestive heart failure in hospital last night having suffered from the condition since November 2004.<\/span><\/p>\n She was admitted to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles ‘for monitoring’ last month.<\/span><\/p>\n Her publicist confirmed: The English-American star, considered Dame Elizabeth’s son, Michael Wilding, said in a statement: ‘We will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. ‘My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour, and love.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Her remarkable body of work in film, her ‘Her legacy will never fade, her In addition to her children, she is survived by ten grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her last show: Elizabeth was snapped celebrating her 79th birthday a month early in January before she was admitted to hospital a few days after<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tributes: Flowers are placed on Elizabeth Taylor’s star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Dame Elizabeth was said to weigh 1942 – There\u2019s One Born Every Minute \u2013 Taylor\u2019s first 1943 \u2013 Lassie Come Home \u2013 Despite being dropped by Universal 1944 \u2013 National Velvet \u2013 Taylor rose to fame in the smash 1954 \u2013 Her busiest year saw Elizabeth star in no less than 1957 \u2013 Raintree County \u2013 The actress was nominated for an 1960 \u2013 Butterfield 8 \u2013 After missing out on an Oscar three 1963 \u2013 Cleopatra \u2013 Elizabeth played the leading role in what 1966 \u2013 Who\u2019s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? \u2013Taylor was awarded 1970 \u2013 The Only Game In Town \u2013 By the end of the 1960\u2019s 1982 \u2013 The Little Foxes (play) \u2013 Elizabeth made her Broadway 1994 \u2013 The Flintstones \u2013 The actress played Wilma\u2019s mother \u2018She was tiny and she was fighting for every breath,\u2019 said a friend.\u00a0 ‘She still felt that she had so much to live for.<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018But she was happy with her life at the end. She was happy with her family \u2013 she was at peace.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n The actress\u2019s four children, ten grandchildren and four great She kept handwritten diaries through much of her life and was said to Doctors were said to be hopeful that she could return to her Bel Air Her death comes exactly 53 years after she was widowed when third husband, film producer Michael Todd, died in a plane crash.<\/span><\/p>\n Dame Elizabeth turned 79 on February 27 but The Hollywood veteran, who was born in Hampstead north London, announced the news via social networking site She used Twitter to relay news of her illness to supporters asking them to pray for her.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘I’ll let you know when it is all over. Love you, Elizabeth,’ was one of the final messages she tweeted. Dame Elizabeth had struggled with her health for a number of years – and towards the end of her life was confined to a wheelchair. She broke her back at least five times, had three bouts of pneumonia of There were two hip-replacement operations But throughout all this Dame Elizabeth managed to retain her sense of humour. In The actress’s star burned brightly in the spotlight since finding fame in Hollywood at the age of 12.<\/span><\/p>\n And her incandescent beauty stood out in the town stuffed with\u00a0 starlets due to her unique violet coloured eyes. She earned four Oscar nominations- <\/span>for Raintree County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Suddenly, Last Summer – <\/span>finally winning at her fourth attempt with film Butterfield 8.<\/span><\/p>\n And in 1961 she became the highest-paid actress in America and the first star ever to be paid $1million for a screen appearance. She received the fee for the lead in Cleopatra – a lavish costume drama about ancient Rome and Egypt.<\/span><\/p>\n When the film was released in 1962 it was a critical flop but earned enough at the box office to cover the vast production costs. Enduring love: Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor met during filming of 1963’s Cleopatra – one of the most expensive films of all time<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Her second Oscar came in 1967 for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?.<\/span><\/p>\n The last of the great Hollywood movie Dame The warring couple, who met during filming of 1963’s Cleopatra – <\/span> one of the most expensive films of all time – <\/span>made 12 films together.<\/span><\/p>\n Scandal erupted when Taylor and Burton – both married – began an affair.<\/span><\/p>\n Dame Elizabeth and Burton divorced Upon Love of my life: Elizabeth pictured with her fifth and sixth husband, Welsh actor Richard Burton who died August 1984<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n The Throughout They During the relationship the couple In a 2006 interview Taylor referred to Burton as her ‘soulmate’.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘Richard enriched my life in different ways, internal journeys into feelings and thoughts,’ Taylor said. ‘He taught me poetry and literature, and introduced me to worlds of beauty. He made me laugh. He made me cry. He explored areas in me that I knew existed but which had never been touched. There was never a dull moment.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘I loved Richard through two marriages and until the day he died.’<\/span><\/p>\n Elizabeth Taylor in 1934, and right as a young starlet on the brink of fame in National Velvet<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As ‘Elizabeth Taylor was a great friend, a ‘We have just lost a Hollywood giant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being.’ ‘Such a sad day, Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the Hollywood greats, and a fantastically charming woman.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘She was also the only person I’ve ever met that had violet eyes. They were genuinely violet. So beautiful.<\/span>‘ <\/span> ‘She truly was an American icon, whose legacy went far beyond her acting skills, most notably in her efforts to lead the battle against HIV\/AIDS.\u00a0 Our thoughts are with her family and her many friends and fans during this difficult time.’<\/span> ‘Liz Taylor lived life with grace, class and a deep respect for others. The heavens now shine with a bright new star.’<\/span> ‘RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor…..Like a pure white diamond you’ll shine on and on and on.’ ‘Elizabeth…thank ‘RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor, surely the last of a breed…’ ‘R.I.P the amazing Liz Taylor, goddess, actress, aids activist and one of the world’s true beauties!’ Along with other Hollywood She also created her own AIDS foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n Jane Fonda led the tributes pouring in from Taylor’s celebrity friends. She said in a statement: ‘Elizabeth, on every level, was a mensch. Kind, generous, brave.’<\/span><\/p>\n Elton \u00a0<\/p>\n Celebrities also took to social networking site Twitter to honour the actress. Former CNN chat show host Larry King Singer George Michael wrote: ‘Such a sad day, Elizabeth Taylor was the last of the Hollywood greats, and a fantastically charming woman. ‘She was also the only person I’ve ever met that had violet eyes. They were genuinely violet. So beautiful. ‘She also did a great deal in the last 25 yrs to help the world deal with the HIV epidemic. I am proud to have known her if only a little.’<\/span><\/p>\n Pop star Kylie Minogue wrote: ‘RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor…..Like a pure white diamond you’ll shine on and on and on.’ While actress Kirstie Alley said: ‘Elizabeth…thank you for the lessons you taught me about life…suffering and joy….you are the brightest star in the universe…Eternal love.’ While Britain’s Stephen Fry simply said: ‘RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor, surely the last of a breed.’ Considered by many to be the closest America has had to royalty, her every move was chronicled by the tabloid and mainstream press as her tumultuous career soared to the heights of stardom and the depths of despair. Above all the actress demonstrated an uncanny ability to rebound, endure and thrive after blows to her health and well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n ‘The ups and downs, the problems and
\nDonna Mcconnell<\/a> and David Gardner<\/a>
Last updated at 5:35 PM on 23rd March 2011<\/p>\n\n
\nher children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria
\nBurton<\/span><\/li>\n
\nless than 98 lbs after spending the final two weeks of her
\nlife on a respirator<\/span>
<\/span><\/li>\n
\ngrandchildren expected to share her $600 million fortune <\/span>
<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n![\"Dame](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/396b28ad173_306x423.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n‘Legendary actress, and fearless activist Elizabeth Taylor
\ndied peacefully today in Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles.’<\/span><\/p>\n
\none of the great actresses – and great beauties – of Hollywood’s golden age, was surrounded by
\nher children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria
\nBurton.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nHe added: ‘Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so
\nclose and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring
\ncontribution to our world.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless
\nadvocacy in the fight against HIV\/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud
\nof what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a
\nbetter place for Mum having lived in it.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nspirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our
\nhearts.’<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Her](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/4ebc3057679_634x442.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Tributes:](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/8496c279362_634x419.jpg.jpg\")
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\nless than 98 lbs when she died after spending the last two weeks of her
\nlife on a respirator in hospital.<\/span>
<\/span><\/p>\nLIZ TAYLOR: A LIFE ON SCREEN<\/span>
<\/h3>\n
\nappearance on the silver screen was released when she was just 10-years-old. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nafter her first film Elizabeth was signed up by MGM and appeared in three films
\nbefore her big break the following year.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nhit playing Velvet Brown opposite Mickey Rooney at just 12-years-old<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nfour films and at 22 years old was considered a great beauty<\/span><\/p>\n![\"](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/2d4961ee520_296x275.jpg.jpg\")
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nAcademy Award for her role as Susanna Drake but she missed out on the award on
\nthe night. <\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\ntimes, Taylor was awarded with an Academy Award for her portrayal of the
\nbeautiful Gloria Wandrous . She starred alongside her then-husband Eddie Fisher<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nwas at the time one of the most expensive movies. Not only was she paid
\n$1million but she also met her future husband Richard Burton.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nan Oscar for her role as Martha and starred alongside her then-husband Richard
\nBurton.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nTaylor had lost some of her pulling power at the cinema<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nand West End debut with a revival of Lillian Hellman\u2019s play<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\n
\nin her last theatrical film<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\ngrandchildren are expected to share much of her $600 million fortune,
\nalthough she is leaving some to her AIDS charity, added the friend.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nhave discussed a deal to publish them as an explosive memoir following
\nher death.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nmansion just days before her long-term congestive heart problem took a
\ndramatic turn for the worse.<\/span><\/p>\n
\ncelebrated with her friends and family a month early as ten days later
\nshe was admitted to hospital to undergo surgery to repair a leaky heart
\nvalve.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nTwitter.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nwhich one, in 1961, required a tracheotomy, and another, in 1990, nearly
\nkilled her. <\/span><\/p>\n
\nand surgery to remove a benign golf ball-sized brain tumour, plus two stays at the Betty Ford clinic.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMore health troubles plagued Taylor in the late 1980s including
\nrecurring back trouble that led her to start drinking again and she developed a dependency on pain-killing drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\n1999, when asked what she would like to see written on her gravestone, she
\nreplied: ‘Here lies Elizabeth. She hated being called Liz. But she
\nlived.’
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Enduring](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/eaaa9aeb522_634x696.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nstars,she \u00a0 became famed not just her stunning beauty or talent but
\nalso for her chequered love life.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nElizabeth married eight times to seven husbands – most notably the
\nlate Welsh-born actor Richard Burton, who she married twice. <\/span><\/p>\n
\ntheir respective spouses and wed in 1964. He would become Taylor’s fifth
\n– and sixth – husband.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\ntheir engagement, Burton gave Taylor the 33-carat Krupp diamond, the
\nfirst of several spectacular named gems that Taylor, who had a lifelong
\nobsession with jewellery, would own.<\/span><\/p>\n
\n![\"Elizabeth](\"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/587ee8ff8-4_306x327.jpg.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\nTaylor-Burton romance was notoriously stormy and passionate. And the
\ncouple was famous worldwide for their opulent jet-setting lifestyle,
\nwith multimillion-dollar homes and private yachts.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nthe relationship Burton continued to lavish extravagant jewellery on
\nTaylor including the extraordinary Taylor-Burton, then 69.42-carat,
\ncolourless diamond, which he purchased in 1969 for $1.1million in a
\nprivate sale from Cartier.
<\/span><\/p>\n
\ndivorced over Burton’s excessive drinking habit in 1974 after ten years
\ntogether only to remarry the following year before divorcing again in
\n1976.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nadopted a daughter together, Maria Burton born 1 August, 1961, who
\nTaylor remained close to after their separation.
<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n
\nwell as her film career, Dame Elizabeth is also known for her work for AIDS related charities.<\/span><\/p>\nTRIBUTES TO A LEGEND<\/span>
<\/h3>\n
‘Elizabeth, on every level, was a mensch. Kind, generous, brave.’<\/span><\/p>\n
\ngreat star and one gutsy woman. She was so special. You won’t see the
\nlikes of her again.’
Larry King<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Elton John <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
George Michael<\/span><\/p>\n
Senator Chris Dodd, Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America<\/span><\/p>\n
George Takei<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
‘I met Elizabeth Taylor several times. She was witty and self-deprecating, which I found surprising and delightful. She loved to laugh.’<\/span>
Steve Martin<\/span>
\u00a0<\/span>
‘Today my friend Elizabeth Taylor passed away. Oddly, we all knew this day was coming but still her passing took my breath away. She was a funny, loud, joke tellin, diamond loving, fantastic woman. She played a big role in shaping my life as\u00a0 It really is the end of an era.’<\/span>
Whoopi Goldberg<\/span><\/p>\n
Kylie Minogue<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\nyou for the lessons you taught me about life…suffering and joy….you
\nare the brightest star in the universe…Eternal love.’
Kirstie Alley <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Stephen Fry<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Boy George<\/span><\/span>
<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\ncelebrities she helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research
\nafter the AIDS related death of her former co-star and friend, Rock
\nHudson in 1985.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nJohn said: ‘We have just lost a Hollywood
\ngiant; more importantly, we have lost an incredible human being.’<\/span><\/p>\n
\ntweeted: ‘Elizabeth Taylor was a great friend, a great star and one
\ngutsy woman. She was so special. You won’t see the likes of her again.<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nstress, along with all the happiness, have given me optimism and hope
\nbecause I am living proof of survival,’ she said.
<\/span><\/p>\n