The twice Oscar winning actress, a star icon who married multiple times and one of the 20th Century’s biggest movie stars, has died in Los Angeles at the age of 79.
She has died of congestive heart failure. Her four children were with her when she passed away at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her publicist said.
She pioneers in the fight against AIDS, which the work earned her the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian award, in 1987 and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1993.
In In 2000, Queen Elizabeth made her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, an honor on the level of knighthood.
In addition to her sons Michael and Christopher Wilding, Taylor is survived by daughters Liza Todd and Maria Burton, 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Her family plans a private funeral this week. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. 