23 March 2011
LEGENDARY actress and iconic beauty Elizabeth Taylor has died. She was 79. "She was surrounded by her children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," Taylor's publicist, Sally Morrison, said this morning.
SEE OUR TRIBUTE TO HER IN PICTURES
"My mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humour, and love," Taylor's son, Michael Wilding, told ABC News. "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. 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 Mom 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."
Born in Hampstead, London, in 1932, Elizabeth Taylor is one of the most legendary Hollywood stars of our time, as famous for being one of the most beautiful women in the world as she is for having married eight times ("Nicky" Conrad Hilton Jr from May 1950 to February 1951; Michael Wilding from February 1952 to January 1957; Mike Todd from February 1957 until his death in March 1958; Eddie Fisher from May 1959 to March 1964; Richard Burton from March 1964 to June 1974; Richard Burton from October 1975 to August 1976; John Warner from December 1976 to November 1982 and Larry Fortensky from October 1991 to October 1996) ; for her pioneering work in support of AIDS and HIV education and fund raising; for her high profile friendship with Michael Jackson; and for her love of show-stopping jewels.
Taylor won Best Actress at the Academy Awards for her roles in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (in 1966) and BUtterfield 8 (1960). She was nominated three times in the three years preceding her first win - for Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), and Raintree Country (1957) - but was beaten to the Oscar each time. She was photographed for the cover of Life magazine more than anyone else in the world - 11 times - and she appeared on the cover of People magazine 14 times, putting her second only to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Her status as a fashion icon grew throughout her career - she was a long-time fan of couturier Marc Bohan and his work at Dior and she launched many fragrances under the Elizabeth Taylor franchise, the most famous of which is White Diamonds.
As well as her four children, Taylor is survived by 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A private family funeral will be held later this week and, rather than flowers, the family ask that contributions be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Personal messages can be left on Taylor's official Facebook page.
SEE ELIZABETH TAYLOR'S LIFE IN PICTURES HERE
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